Bilateral mandibular distraction for patients with compromised airway analyzed by three-dimensional CT

The purpose of this study was to present the method of mandibular distraction osteogenesis in order to improve airway to respiratory distressed patients due to significant mandibular deficiency, and to present the quantitative volumetric evaluation of mandible and upper airway using three-dimensional-CT (3D-CT) before and after distraction. This study involved 12 patients aged 12 months to seven years with various complaints of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) such as noisy breathing during sleep, waking episodes, pauses in respiration and daytime somnolence. Some of them were considered tracheostomy candidates. All the patients underwent bilateral mandibular distraction under general anesthesia. 3D-CT of face and neck was performed before and after distraction and a quantitative volumetric evaluation of mandibular volume and airway volume was performed. The results reveal successful mandibular advancement with increase of mandibular volume by an average of 28.24% and increase of upper airway volume with a mean of 71.92%. Moreover, there were improved apnea index and oxygen saturation and elimination of OSA symptoms. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that following distraction osteogenesis of hypoplastic mandible the volume of the mandible and upper airway increases, eliminating symptoms of OSA and preventing tracheostomy.