Life-saving jaw surgery for Chinese baby in Chennai hospital
This is a rare condition which affects 1 in 10,000 live births
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2015-08-10 05:55 GMT
Chennai: Two-year-old Chayce Lee (from Singapore), born with a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder called Pierre Robin syndrome, a life-threatening condition with severe abnormalities affecting head and face, has been operated upon in a Chennai hospital and is out of emergency condition.
This is a rare condition which affects 1 in 10,000 live births. Chayce Lee was brought to Chennai after doctors in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and other places refused to treat him because of his challenging condition.
Finally, the parents approached Chennai-based Balaji Dental & Craniofacial Hospital, where Dr S.M. Balaji, Consultant Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeon & Chairman, carried out an operation on Lee.
“I performed the surgery using distraction osteogenesis technique to grow new bone and bringing the lower jaw forward. This was done inside the mouth so there is no scar. Now the baby is able to breathe easily without snoring,” Dr Balaji said.
"Following this surgical procedure my boy can breathe easily without snoring and we are very extremely happy,” said Lee Teck Chuan, father of Lee.
The baby had obstructive sleep apnea wherein breathing repeatedly stops for a few seconds to minutes. He also had a severe fall injury a few months after birth which caused his jaw joints to became fused to the skull bone on both sides.