A simple nasal splint to assist the stability of nasopharyngeal tubes in the Pierre Robin sequence associated airway obstruction: technical innovation

Abstract

Upper airway obstruction in association with the Pierre Robin sequence presents at or shortly after birth. The airway difficulty can be managed in a number of ways from postural nursing to surgical intervention with tracheostomy, however, each method has its disadvantages. A technique is described whereby the airway obstruction is relieved with the use of paediatric nasopharyngeal airways which are stabilized with an individually constructed acrylic nasal splint. This technique has been successfully applied in two cases of the Pierre Robin sequence presenting with airway obstruction.