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| CASE REPORT |
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| Year : 2015 | Volume
: 1
| Issue : 2 | Page : 124-126 |
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Palliative care through single visit flexible feeding aid for an infant with Pierre Robin sequence: A clinical report
Manu Rathee, Mohaneesh Bhoria, Madhuri Dua
Department of Prosthodontics, Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Pt. B.D. Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India
| Date of Web Publication | 2-Mar-2016 |
Correspondence Address:
Mohaneesh Bhoria
Department of Prosthodontics, Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Pt. B.D. Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2454-3160.177950
Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) or anomalad is one of the most readily recognized presentation, and results of the first brachial arch malformation. PRS presents a classic triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and cleft palate. Infants with PRS can present with varied problems, some of them emergencies. However, in infants with a complete cleft palate, most commonly encountered problems are with feeding. This article describes the clinical and laboratory procedures for construction of a feeding plate in a neonate with PRS due to the presence of a cleft palate.
Keywords: Cleft palate, feeding aid, obturator, Pierre Robin sequence
How to cite this article:
Rathee M, Bhoria M, Dua M. Palliative care through single visit flexible feeding aid for an infant with Pierre Robin sequence: A clinical report
. Saint Int Dent J 2015;1:124-6 |
How to cite this URL:
Rathee M, Bhoria M, Dua M. Palliative care through single visit flexible feeding aid for an infant with Pierre Robin sequence: A clinical report
. Saint Int Dent J [serial online] 2015 [cited 2023 Mar 28];1:124-6. Available from: https://www.sidj.org/text.asp?2015/1/2/124/177950 |
Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) is named after the French stomatologist who described the problems associated with newborn micrognathia. The phenomenon comprises the triad of mandibular micrognathia, U-shaped cleft palate, and glossoptosis. The developmental anomaly was originally classified as a syndrome but was reclassified as a sequence in 1982. [1],[2] PRS is a congenital condition involving a combination of micrognathia and glossoptosis with or without a cleft palate. PRS is considered as a nonspecific anomalad occurring either as an isolated defect or as a broader group of malformations. [3] Feeding problems are most commonly encountered with cleft anomaly which leaves the neonate with inadequate nutrition. This case report discusses an 18-day-old neonate with PRS rehabilitated in whom flexible feeding aid was provided.
| Case Report | |  |
An 18-day-old male neonate was referred with complaint of difficulty feeding on milk. The medical history revealed PRS. On extraoral examination, the neonate showed characteristic receded chin with bird face appearance [Figure 1]. Intraoral examination revealed a large U-shaped palatal cleft with healthy appearing gum pads [Figure 2]. Based on these clinical findings, treatment plan was made with the purpose of improving the functional ability (suckling) as an initial prosthetic rehabilitation with an immediate approach. The parents were consented before treatment execution.
A custom-made tray was fabricated using modeling plastic impression compound (DPI Pinnacle, Mumbai, India) [Figure 3]. The flanges of the compound tray were adjusted accordingly, and retentive holes were made across the custom-made tray. Vinyl Polysiloxane putty super soft (Affinis, Coltene Whaledent Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai, India) was used for impression; constant crying and intermittent suckling during the impression procedure created the desired tissue molding. The impression was evaluated for satisfactory coverage of the vestibule and defect [Figure 4]. Once the master cast was obtained, a wire framework was adapted over the vestibular area of the master cast leaving a U-shaped frame (holder and safety mechanism) extra to the cast in the anterior region, using a 21-gauge orthodontic wire. A Bio-plastic sheet (2.00 mm × 125 mm) was adapted to master cast using vacuum former machine (Biostar VI, USA) and extra border was trimmed leaving 3-4 mm of margins. Using the roll-on technique, 3-4 mm sheet borders were well-adapted over the wire framework [Figure 5]. The completed flexible feeding aid was tried, and satisfactory outcome was noted while feeding the infant [Figure 6]. Instructions were given to the parents regarding insertion, removal, and cleaning of the feeding aid. A regular follow-up of the patient was done after 24 h, 1 week, and monthly follow-ups were scheduled. | Figure 4: Impression made with addition silicone for accurate reproduction of features
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| Discussion | | |
PRS is a congenital abnormality characterized by the presence of a combination of mandibular hypoplasia, glossoptosis, and clefting of the palatal bone. [1],[3] Reconstructive management of cleft lip and palate requires coordinated multidisciplinary care. Early surgical repair of the cleft lip and palate is the treatment of choice, but time of surgery depends on various vital factors including age and general health of the patient. Although various presurgical approaches to resolve feeding problems such as specially designed soft bottle with enlarged nipple were instituted, they appear not sufficient for large clefts. The palatal cleft interferes with feeding and causes regurgitation through nose. Infection of the nasopharynx is frequent. Otitis media may also be a consequence leading to hearing impairment or permanent deafness. [4],[5] Hence, the construction of the palatal obturator or a feeding plate is very important until the surgical correction of the defect is carried out.
Feeding obturator is a prosthetic aid that is designed to obturate the cleft and restore separation between the oral and nasal cavities. It creates a platform against which the infant can extract milk. It also facilitates feeding, reduces nasal regurgitation, reduces choking, and shortens feeding time. [6],[7] Prosthodontics care at primary level involves addressing feeding difficulties, and prevention of middle ear infections. However, multiple visits, increase laboratory time, and lengthy adjustment procedures were some of the drawbacks. [6],[8.9] This article presented an alternative, easy, and convenient procedure of flexible feeding obturator fabrication which overcame the drawback of traditional materials. There were added advantages of the new materials' flexibility for ease of placement intraorally and delivering prosthetic feeding aid at single appointment. Feeding aid constructed maintains the rigidity and adaptability of flange of obturator around gum pad area. Finally, addressing such problem at initial stage helps to boost the rehabilitation process significantly.
| Conclusion | | |
The advantages of enhancing nourishment with proper feeding, allows a positive psychological impact on the parents. These steps allow performing a definitive treatment in a more conducive way. The design of the feeding tube presented is easily cleanable permitting convenience of maintenance to the parents. The technique of fabrication involves use of routine dental materials.
Declaration of patient consent
The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4], [Figure 5], [Figure 6]
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