1. An Oral Appliance with Velar Extension for Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Infants with Pierre Robin Sequence
- Author
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Joerg Arand, Wolfgang Buchenau, Judit Sautermeister, Christian F. Poets, Margit Bacher, and Michael S. Urschitz
- Subjects
Male ,Pediatrics ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Neonatal intensive care unit ,Polysomnography ,Oral appliance ,Orthodontic Appliances ,Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ,medicine ,Hospital discharge ,Humans ,Prospective Studies ,Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ,Robin Sequence ,Pierre Robin Syndrome ,business.industry ,Infant, Newborn ,Outcome measures ,Infant ,medicine.disease ,Models, Dental ,Obstructive sleep apnea ,Treatment Outcome ,Otorhinolaryngology ,Anesthesia ,Intraoral appliance ,Female ,Oral Surgery ,business - Abstract
Objective A new oral appliance to treat obstructive sleep apnea in infants with Pierre Robin sequence has recently been shown to be superior to a sham procedure. We now investigate safety and long-term effects of this appliance on obstructive sleep apnea in infants with Pierre Robin sequence. Design Case series with repetitive follow-up examinations. Setting Tertiary neonatal intensive care unit at the University Children's Hospital Tuebingen, Germany. Patients Fifteen infants (11 girls and four boys; median age, 5 days) with Pierre Robin sequence and obstructive sleep apnea (i.e., mixed-obstructive-apnea index > 3). Intervention A custom-made intraoral appliance with velar extension was used continuously in situ from admission until 3 months after hospital discharge. Main Outcome Measure The mixed-obstructive-apnea index was determined prior to the intervention at admission, at discharge, and 3 months later using polygraphic sleep studies. The geometric mean of the mixed-obstructive-apnea index and its 95% confidence interval were calculated. Results Compared with admission (mean, 17.2; 95% confidence interval, 11.1–26.7), there was a significant decrease in the mixed-obstructive-apnea index to discharge (mean, 3.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.2–6.6) and 3 months later (mean, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.7–2.2; p value < .001). No severe adverse events occurred. Conclusions This oral appliance was safe and appears to treat obstructive sleep apnea effectively in infants with Pierre Robin sequence.
- Published
- 2011
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