Synchronous Airway Lesions in Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis Patients

Results: A total of 54 patients underwent MDO and of those 21 patients were found who have undergone both MDO and DLB. The incidence of at least 1 SAL was 71.4% in this group. A subgroup of patients less than 24 months had an incidence of SALs that was 78%. Types of SALs encountered include laryngeal edema (57.1%), tracheobronchitis (42.9%), laryngomalacia (33.3%), tracheomalacia (14.3%), bronchomalacia (14.3%), subglottic stenosis (9.5%), and pulsatile airway compression (9.5%). Nine of 21 patients (42.9%) demonstrated airway lesions that have been known to have the potential for more significant airway obstruction than the more minor SALs. These include subglottic stenosis, laryngomalacia, tracheomalacia, bronchomalacia or pulsatile airway compression. Of those patients with MDO and DLB, 19/21 (90.5%) received tracheostomy, and 18/19 of those were decannulated. The patient that was not decannulated had two synchronous airway lesions. There was a second failure that also had a SAL and was determined to be a failure due to lack of clinical improvement after MDO.