A Case of Amniotic Band Sequence Complicated by Severe Skeletal Malocclusion

Abstract

This clinical report describes the management of a patient who was diagnosed with amniotic band sequence (ABS) complicated with severe skeletal malocclusion, associated with severe muscle weakness. The patient was a 23-year-old male who underwent treatment in our hospital to improve chewing, phonation, and swallowing difficulties caused by severe abnormality of the maxillofacial skeleton. We evaluated chewing, swallowing and language functions preoperatively, and started muscle function and oral rehabilitation therapy. We performed 2-jaw osteotomy after preoperative orthodontic treatment. The patient continued with postoperative orthodontic treatment and oral rehabilitation. Postoperatively, the patient showed improved maxillofacial morphology, but was unable to attain sufficient improvement of masticatory and language functions due to atrophy and poor development of the masticatory muscles. These results suggest that obtaining sufficient therapeutic effect on oral functions is not possible if the masticatory muscles are not sufficiently strong due to atrophy or hypoplasia.