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The triad of retrognathia, glossoptosis, and airway obstruction characterizes the Robin sequence along with the detrimental effects of mandibular hypoplasia on feeding, swallowing, and growth, which are very well described. Most of the babies are managed successfully on nonsurgical measures, but selected patients require surgical intervention in the neonatal period for survival. Conventionally, tracheostomy was done, which still remains a first-line surgical procedure for some surgeons. However, presently, most of the craniofacial centers have switched over to mandibular distraction procedures at an early stage and only sometimes tongue–lip adhesion (TLA). The literature is unclear as to which surgical procedure for securing the airway is more effective for these patients, and hence, the choice of procedure depends on the resources and surgical expertise. This article tells the tale of a neonate who survived by just placing a simple U-stitch between the tongue and lip, retracting the tongue outside, which is the basic concept of all TLA procedures. It also reemphasizes the importance of TLA in Robin patients to improve the airway obstruction and helps buy the time in which the mandible and associated structures grow.

European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases - Vol. 130 - N° 2 - p. 99-102

Cerebro-costo-mandibular syndrome (CCMS) consists of severe micrognathia, glossoptosis, posterior rib-gap defects and developmental delay. It may cause upper airway obstruction and flail chest, resulting in neonatal hypoxia, and possibly death. Early airway management or surgical intervention to maintain a patent airway is critical to avoid hypoxia in CCMS patients. We report a newborn with CCMS who was successfully weaned from a laryngeal mask after undergoing a tongue–lip adhesion operation at 164 days of age.

Patients with Pierre Robin sequence exhibit varying degrees of airway obstruction and feeding difficulty. In some patients, airway obstruction may be profound, warranting surgical intervention to maintain a patent airway. The purpose of this article is to highlight the advantages of the tongue-lip adhesion procedure for the management of airway obstruction in such patients compared to the currently available options.