College at Buffalo’s Dr. Michael Markiewicz led a life-saving process on a new child in Tel Aviv, Israel.
The new child, who was struggling to breathe and was born with Pierre Robin Sequence, confronted fast respiratory challenges, the college stated. This uncommon craniofacial situation usually necessitates a tracheostomy, which is the usual resolution in Israel. This contrasts with the strategy in america, the place mandibular distraction is often carried out throughout the first few weeks of life to keep away from a tracheostomy.
Nevertheless, the infant’s mother and father advocated for the superior different: mandibular distraction.
At their insistence, Sheba Medical Middle, ranked among the many world’s prime hospitals, reached out to Dr. Markiewicz, a number one skilled in pediatric craniomaxillofacial surgical procedure. After a swift coordination of logistics, together with fast-tracked immigration paperwork, Markiewicz and his assistant, Dr. Jessica Li, arrived in Tel Aviv to carry out the surgical procedure on July 25, simply days after receiving the decision.
The three-hour process concerned small incisions on the toddler’s neck to connect {hardware} that steadily lengthens the decrease jaw, assuaging airway obstruction. Remarkably, the infant was respiratory independently and feeding inside days, avoiding the invasive tracheostomy.
Surgeon hopes for paradigm change
“My hope is that the success of this surgical procedure adjustments the paradigm in Israel, and so they’ll begin doing mandibular distraction on younger infants similar to we do within the U.S.,” stated Markiewicz, emphasizing the significance of early intervention. Sheba Medical Middle’s surgical staff expressed eagerness to undertake the method, marking a step ahead in pediatric take care of uncommon craniofacial circumstances.
Markiewicz, who additionally serves as medical co-director at Buffalo’s Laurence C. Wright Craniofacial Middle, has carried out dozens of those procedures however famous the profound satisfaction of collaborating internationally to save lots of a life. “In a time of worldwide turmoil, working collectively to assist this little one was deeply rewarding,” he mirrored.
The toddler’s restoration continues in Israel, with plans for future surgical procedures to deal with a cleft palate. In the meantime, Markiewicz hopes this success story conjures up broader adoption of early mandibular distraction, making certain extra kids worldwide can breathe and thrive with out invasive interventions.