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 instant respiratory challenges, the college stated. This uncommon craniofacial situation typically necessitates a tracheostomy, which is the usual resolution in Israel. This contrasts with the method in the US, the place mandibular distraction is often carried out inside the first few weeks of life to keep away from a tracheostomy.
Nonetheless, the newborn’s mother and father advocated for the superior different: mandibular distraction.
At their insistence, Sheba Medical Middle, ranked among the many world’s high 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 regularly lengthens the decrease jaw, assuaging airway obstruction. Remarkably, the newborn was respiration 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, they usually’ll begin doing mandibular distraction on younger infants identical to we do within the U.S.,” stated Markiewicz, emphasizing the significance of early intervention. Sheba Medical Middle’s surgical group expressed eagerness to undertake the method, marking a step ahead in pediatric take care of uncommon craniofacial circumstances.
Markiewicz, who additionally serves as scientific 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 avoid wasting a life. “In a time of world turmoil, working collectively to assist this baby was deeply rewarding,” he mirrored.
The toddler’s restoration continues in Israel, with plans for future surgical procedures to handle a cleft palate. In the meantime, Markiewicz hopes this success story evokes broader adoption of early mandibular distraction, guaranteeing extra kids worldwide can breathe and thrive with out invasive interventions.
