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Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis (MDO) is a procedure that we may recommend if your child is born with a condition such as Pierre-Robin Sequence, Treacher Collins syndrome, or Craniofacial Microsomia. It uses a powerful phenomenon known as distraction osteogenesis to create new bone. In MDO, cuts are made in the bone of the lower jaw (mandible) through small incisions in the neck, and a device called a distractor is applied. As the device is turned after surgery, it slowly separates the cut ends of the bone away from each other (Figure 1). The body progressively makes bone to fill the gap, and the mandible becomes larger over a period of several weeks.
Figure 1: An example of mandibular distraction, before and during distraction
Our team of specialists will explain to you if MDO is a surgery that would help your child.
For babies with Pierre Robin sequence, it important to know that very few will need MDO. We will only recommend MDO when other treatments have failed. Many babies may get better with side or prone positioning, and may not need surgery at all. Other babies may have abnormalities in their larynx (voicebox) or trachea (windpipe) that cannot be improved with MDO.
Learn more about the phenomenon of distraction osteogenesis.
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