Long-term persistence in obstructive sleep apnea following tongue-lip adhesion in infants with Pierre Robin sequence and a cleft palate

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and airway compromise are common in infants with Pierre Robin syndrome (PRS) due to tongue-based airway obstruction. Tongue-lip adhesion (TLA) is an effective procedure that can alleviate the symptoms of OSA by preventing posterior prolapse of the tongue. Although OSA consistently improved following TLA, it did not fully resolve. Ongoing management of OSA was required in all patients. These results identify the need for OSA to be reevaluated and managed for several years in PRS patients who have had a TLA.

Keywords

• cleft palate
• obstructive sleep apnea
• pierre robin sequence
• tongue-lip adhesion
• upper airway obstruction