This report discusses airway obstruction in newborn infants with micrognathia and glossop tosis, and describes three patients who required surgical relief of obstruction from glossoptosis. In two, glossoptosis was controlled by construction of lingual-labial flaps under local anesthesia. The third required tracheostomy because of absence of the mandibular symphysis; to be effective, a lingual-labial flap requires a complete mandibular arch for support.
The lingual-labial flap is the best surgical procedure for glossoptosis of the newborn. It can be constructed under local anesthesia in the nursery or in the operating room. It holds the tongue forward, yet it allows adequate tongue mobility for feeding. Composed of the patient's own tissues, it can remain for an indefinite time.
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