What is Neonatal Jaw (Mandibular) Distraction?
The goal of distraction is to increase the size of the lower jaw, moving the oral soft tissues and the tongue forward off the airway. This helps resolve obstructive sleep apnea and potentially avoid tracheostomy.
Infants are put to sleep for the procedure and then monitored in our Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). They may require narcotics for a few days and then are routinely treated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Before the Procedure
Before the distraction procedure, patients have a polysomnogram (sleep study) and 3-D CT scan. Parents or caregivers must follow the routine pre-surgery instructions for the safety of the infant.During the Procedure
The procedure takes place in the operating room. Your surgeon may elect to place an internal or external distractor. Through two small incisions in the mouth, the doctor makes a cut on each side of the lower jaw (mandible) and places a device on either side of the face attached to pins. The placement of internal devices requires an incision on both sides of the child’s neck by which the jaw is lengthened and the device is placed beneath the skin. Doctors turn the distractor pins using a type of wrench. During surgery, the patient is asleep, and vital signs are monitored closely.After the Procedure
During the distraction process, babies often have a difficult time eating orally. Special feeding techniques are implemented to keep the infants well nourished.
If patients go home during distraction, parents learn how to perform incision care, turning of the distractor arms and special feeding techniques before leaving the hospital.
Call Your Child's Doctor If:
- There is redness at the incision or distractor arm sites
- You have trouble turning the distraction device
