Objective: To suggest an updated interdisciplinary treatment protocol for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (POSA) based on the integration of craniofacial growth modification into medical and surgical sleep practice.
Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane library were searched up to February 2020 using keywords. Among 184 articles, 80 studies were finally included. An integrated treatment protocol for POSA encompassing craniofacial skeletal management as well as medical and surgical care was attempted.
Results: A differential diagnostic workflow for identifying the phenotype of POSA was suggested, and a phenotype-based treatment protocol for POSA was proposed. Despite the lack of high level of evidence, timely skeletal growth modification in three dimensions using craniofacial growth potential could be valuable treatment for upper airway development in POSA patients with craniofacial phenotypic cause.
Conclusion: A novel precision treatment protocol will advance clinicians to determine the primary option or to apply the combined strategy for POSA patients.
Keywords: Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea; craniofacial; growth modification; interdisciplinary; phenotype; treatment protocol.