Mandibular Distraction for Babies | 合法醫療器材資訊網

Thiscanresultinababyhavingdifficultybreathing,eating,andsleeping.Mandibulardistractionosteogenesisisasurgicalprocedurethatlengthensthe ...

Mandibular distraction is usually performed in the first several weeks of life. An incision is made and the jaw bone is carefully separated to allow a distraction device to be attached to the bone, on both sides of the jaw. The device has two screws that are turned to further separate the bone after surgery. These screws are turned approximately every eight hours for about 15 days. By pulling the ends of the bone apart, new bone will form to fill in the gap and heal. This creates a longer jaw bone and provides more space for the tongue so that it no longer blocks the airway. The device remains in place for 12 weeks to allow new bone to form. The device is surgically removed at the end of treatment.

Most babies stay in the NICU during the entire process. In some cases and with special education from our team, parents will complete the distraction process at home aft...