Children born with an abnormally small jawbone, or mandible, can have severe breathing difficulties when they are born or shortly after. This also can affect their ability to feed and sleep. Mandibular distraction (man-DIB-u-lar dis-TRACK-shon), or jaw distraction, is a method used to lengthen the jawbone. As the jaw is lengthened, it pulls the tongue forward and opens up the airway so the child can breathe clearly.
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is among a small number of children’s hospitals with the multidisciplinary expertise to offer this surgery. Small jawbones may accompany other medical conditions such Pierre Robin Sequence.
Mandibular distraction is used to treat critically ill newborns and infants who can’t breathe on their own so they can avoid having a tracheostomy. It is not done for aesthetic reasons.
We believe parents and guardians can contribute to the success of this surgery and invite you to participate. The following information can help you learn about the surgery and how you can help.
Why Choose UPMC Children’s
UPMC Children’s is a nationally ranked Top 10 children’s hospital. Our specialists perform dozens of jaw-related surgeries each year, including mandibular distraction. We are trained in complex craniofacial reconstruction, functional airway surgery, and facial aesthetics.
Our plastic surgery team at UPMC Children’s includes highly skilled surgeons, orthodontists, anesthesiologists, and nurses who are specially trained in caring for children and are dedicated to helping children function at the highest level by treating both common and complex surgical issues.
Children’s is the region’s leading pediatric referral facility and western Pennsylvania's only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center. Whether your child’s situation is severe or straightforward, a congenital impairment, or the result of an injury or trauma, you can be confident that we’ll apply our years of expertise, knowledge, and experience to help your child.
Fast Facts about Mandibular Distraction (Jaw Distraction)
- Mandibular distraction is a method used to create new bone by slowly moving two bone segments away from each other.
- It involves a surgical procedure to attach lengthening devices (distractors) on each side of the jawbone. To insert the distractors, small incisions are made under the jaw. These incisions will be almost invisible as the child grows older.
- After surgery, only two small rods — called distractor arms — can be seen externally. These arms will be adjusted daily over a 2-week period to lengthen the lower jaw by increasing the space where the jaw is split. The jawbone grows to fill the space that is created.
- This surgery takes about 1.5 hours.
- Most babies stay in the hospital during this process. They usually are able to go home feeding orally within a month after surgery.
- Approximately three or four months later, the distractor device is removed during a second surgery.
