Mandibular distraction for amniotic band syndrome in the neonate

Prior reports have advocated the use of distraction osteogenesis (DO) in the management of neonates with mandibular hypoplasia to avoid early tracheostomy and its associated morbidity. Our center recently reported on the successful use of DO in a neonate with muscular dystrophy, a condition which affects the bone as well as the adjacent skeletal muscle. Herein, we describe the use of neonatal DO for mandibular hypoplasia in the setting of amniotic band sequence (ABS). The child had significant soft tissue contracture in the region of the cheek, associated with bilateral transverse facial clefts. This report highlights the successful utilization of DO for the treatment of mandibular hypoplasia and airway compromise in a patient with ABS.