Vocabulary

For those new to PRS, here are some vocab turns you're probably going to become acutely familiar with:

Lip-Tongue Adhesion- surgery to open the airway by sewing the tongue to the bottom lip.

Jaw Disjunction - By making a small cut in a child's jaw and creating a space between the two ends, bone grows in between. By continuing to expand the space each day and allow bone to grow, a longer jaw is created. The jaw can be lengthened exactly the right distance for each child's need.

A series of pins is inserted into the jaw to control the segments. Expansion can continue until the necessary size is reached, usually in 2-3 weeks. The expansion is then stopped and the bone becomes solid in 4-6 weeks. The distraction process is far less painful than it might look and all measures are taken to make the child as comfortable as possible. Children recover from the initial placement quickly and return to most normal childhood activities. In addition, the children are able to eat softer foods normally while the pins are in place. Most do not require additional airway or nutritional support. In 4-6 weeks, the bone becomes solid, the pins are removed and the jaw lengthening is complete. Scarring is minimal - far less noticeable than that of a trach - and fades over time. In our experience, this is the only procedure needed to correct the jaw and airway. Other operations may be needed to correct problems associated with the initial syndrome, such as cleft palate.

Tracheostomy- an opening surgically cut into the windpipe. A tracheostomy tube is then inserted in the opening.

Gastrostomy feeding tube- After the endoscopy tube is inserted, the skin over the left side of belly (abdomen) area is cleaned and numbed. The doctor makes a small surgical cut in this area and inserts a small, flexible, hollow tube with a balloon or special tip into the stomach. The doctor uses stitches to close the stomach around the tube.

decannulation- Planned or accidental removal of a tracheostomy tube.

Stickler's Syndrome- a group of genetic disorders affecting connective tissue, specifically collagen. It was first studied and characterized by Gunnar B. Stickler in 1965. Stickler syndrome is characterized by distinctive facial abnormalities, eye problems, hearing loss, and joint problems

Cranial osteopathy - a set of theory and techniques that have been developed from the observations of Dr William Sutherland that the plates of the cranium permit microscopic movement or force dissipation and that there is a 'force' or rhythm that is operating in moving the plates of the skull. Cranial osteopathy is said to be based on a primary respiratory mechanism, a rhythm that can be felt with a very finely developed sense of touch. Some osteopaths believe that improving dysfunctional cranial rhythmic impulses enhances cerebral spinal fluid flow to peripheral nerves, thereby enhancing metabolic outflow and nutrition inflow. It has gained particular popularity in the treatment of babies and children.

The primary respiratory mechanism is not acknowledged as existing in standard medical texts, and at least one study has failed to show inter-rater reliability between craniosacral therapists attempting to detect this rhythm. While other studies have reported evidence of the existence of such a rhythm, the link between any such mechanism and states of health or disease has also been contested. One meta-analysis from the British Columbia Office of Health Technology Assessment (BCOHTA) concluded that "there is evidence for a craniosacral rhythm, impulse or 'primary respiration' independent of other measurable body rhythms", however it was noted that "these and other studies do not provide any valid evidence that such a craniosacral 'rhythm' or 'pulse' can be reliably perceived by an examiner" and that "The influence of this craniosacral rhythm on health or disease states is completely unknown."

Craniosacral therapy is based on the same principles as cranial osteopathy, but the practitioners are not qualified osteopaths. The theory and techniques of cranial osteopathy have also had a major influence in alternative medicine in general.

Frequency Specific Microcurrent - treats nerve and muscle pain and many other conditions using specific frequencies and micro amperage current.