Its' use means that your child needs a more serious form of airway support. Baby will be nursed in the Intensive Care ward and a machine will assist their breathing. Glossopexy is used when the tongue is the sole cause of the airway obstruction. It is an operation that joins the tongue to the lip, pulling it forward to prevent the tongue from falling back and blocking the airway. This is generally reversed by one year of age.
Baby can eat and drink normally and be looked after at home.
In very rare cases, narrow or obstructed airways that are unlikely to improve for a long period of time may need to be managed this way. A small hole is cut into the neck and a permanent airway tube put in. This is reversed when the child is older and able to breathe normally. Tracheostomy is generally avoided if possible. The aim is to prevent the undesirable situation of brain damage which can occur in children with low oxygen levels from continuous or significant episodes of airway obstruction.