Effect of Glossopexy on Speech Sound Production in Robin Sequence

Abstract

The management of Robin sequence may include glossopexy, in which the tongue is attached to the lower lip and mandible for anterior lingual positioning to resolve upper airway obstruction. The procedure is performed early in infancy and reversed at the time of palatal repair near 1 year of age. This period is critical to prespeech vocalization. The effect of glossopexy on speech sound production was investigated in 17 children with Robin sequence who had glossopexies. Analysis suggested that glossopexy may temporarily affect the development of prespeech skills and sound production. The onset of babbling and initiation of first words was often delayed in the subjects in comparison with syndrome-matched children who had not undergone glossopexy. Tongue-tip sounds were often produced with the tongue blade, but production was perceptually normal. The early delays were temporary and the only long-term effect of glossopexy was a tendency to produce tongue-tip sounds with the tongue blade.