Digital Workflow and 3D Printing of Palato-Lingual Plates for Robin Sequence: Current Concepts and Future Directions
Abstract
Robin sequence (RS) is congenital craniofacial condition characterized by micrognathia, glossoptosis, and upper airway obstruction, frequently leading to life-threatening respiratory compromise and feeding difficulties in the neonatal period. Palato-lingual plates (PLPs) represent an effective non-invasive therapeutic approach that repositions the tongue anteriorly and obturates the cleft palate, thereby improving airway patency and feeding efficiency. However, conventional PLP fabrication relies on manual impressions and handcrafted acrylic processing, procedures that are laborious, time-consuming, and potentially hazardous in neonates. Recent advances in digital medicine have enabled a fully digital workflow for PLP production based on intraoral optical scanning, computer-aided design (CAD), and stereolithographic 3D printing. This review presents a comprehensive description of this digital workflow, including scan acquisition, digital model processing, CAD construction, and additive manufacturing of patient-specific devices. The digital process may allow precise control of device geometry, rapid production of design variants, and improved reproducibility compared with conventional fabrication techniques. Importantly, digital design also enables the development of next-generation PLP concepts that extend beyond traditional appliances. Through iterative digital modelling and additive manufacturing, recent developments illustrate the evolution of PLP design toward wire-free hybrid appliances that integrate characteristics of palato-lingual plates and airway stents, eliminating the need for extraoral wires. These flexible personalized devices may improve patient comfort, reduce wire-related complications, and facilitate breastfeeding. The integration of digital scanning, CAD design, and 3D printing represents not only a technological improvement in PLP fabrication but also a platform for conceptual innovation in the management of infants with Robin sequence.
Keywords
Citation Information
@article{martinverha2026,
title={Digital Workflow and 3D Printing of Palato-Lingual Plates for Robin Sequence: Current Concepts and Future Directions},
author={Martin Čverha and Andrej Thurzo},
journal={Bratislava Medical Journal},
year={2026},
doi={https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9387582/v1}
}
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