Mandibular distraction osteogenesis to relieve Pierre Robin airway obstruction

Children with Pierre Robin sequence can present challenging airway management issues. We describe a neonate with a life-threatening airway obstruction secondary to severe micrognathia and glossoptosis. When the patient was 9 days old, bilateral distraction osteogenesis was performed to lengthen the mandible by 17 mm. The patient was subsequently extubated without further airway or swallowing difficulties.