Nasopharyngeal airways in Pierre Robin Syndrome

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal airways have been assessed in the management of infants with severe Pierre Robin syndrome. In 12 such infants the positioning and subsequent maintenance of these tubes were found to be important in ensuring adequate relief of the airway obstruction. In five infants measurements of lung mechanics demonstrated the benefits of NP tube placement and confirmed the observed improvements in cyanotic episodes, heart failure, electrocardiograms, and arterial gas tensions. In a retrospective survey of 40 infants with PRS, failure to thrive was found to be significantly correlated with the severity of the airflow obstruction. This failure to thrive was reversed in the infants managed with NP tubes in comparison with an age-matched groups nursed while prone. The lack of significant complications with the NP airway and its acceptability to nursing staff, patients, and their parents suggest that this method deserves more widespread use in PRS and perhaps in other situations in which high upper respiratory tract obstruction is predominant.