Dr. HyeRan Choo Appointed Inaugural Director of Stanford Orthodontic Airway Plate Treatment Program

Dr. HyeRan Choo, DDS, DMD, MS, has been appointed as the inaugural director of the Stanford Orthodontic Airway Plate Treatment Program for Pierre Robin Sequence (SOAP for PRS), effective November 2024. This groundbreaking program at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health is the first in the nation to treat neonates with Pierre Robin Sequence non-surgically using Orthodontic Airway Plates (OAP).

Robin sequence, also known as Pierre Robin sequence, is a congenital condition characterized by a small lower jaw, a displaced tongue, and airway obstruction, often associated with a cleft palate. Severe respiratory distress in neonates and infants with Robin sequence is traditionally managed through surgical interventions such as tracheostomy or mandibular distraction osteogenesis within the first few months of life. The OAP is a customized, nonsurgical device similar to an orthodontic retainer that is worn in an infant’s mouth to help correct airway and jaw defects. For the past four years, Dr. Choo has been successfully treating patients with this innovative approach.

This announcement marks a significant milestone, as SOAP for PRS is now officially endorsed by Stanford Hospital as a legitimate treatment for neonates with PRS. This formal recognition will facilitate the broader adoption of the treatment across the United States, offering reassurance to other centers that are considering its implementation for their patients.

As the program’s director, Dr. Choo will oversee its establishment, manage nationwide referrals and transportation from other NICUs, coordinate patient onboarding, and foster multidisciplinary collaboration to deliver comprehensive care in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Dr. Choo shared her vision for the program: “We aim to make SOAP more accessible to families with PRS who wish to pursue non-surgical treatment here. At the same time, we will develop educational programs for providers specializing in neonatal airway management for PRS, helping them establish their own programs to better serve their patients. Additionally, we will continue to innovate the design and protocol of SOAP by integrating cutting-edge technologies in computer-aided design, manufacturing, and medical imaging analysis.”

What excites Dr. Choo most about leading this innovative initiative is the profound impact it has on patients’ lives: “It's the opportunity to help babies with PRS lead normal lives after undergoing SOAP, as if they never experienced any breathing or feeding difficulties. It's incredibly rewarding to know that by avoiding surgery in infancy, these babies won't have to face potential surgical complications throughout their lives. This non-surgical approach offers them a future free from the challenges that often accompany more invasive treatments.”

In her new role, Dr. Choo will continue her clinical duties while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital to advance the program’s mission.

Dr. Choo has been part of the Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery since 2016. She began as a part-time orthodontist and clinical instructor before transitioning to a full-time craniofacial orthodontist and clinical assistant professor in 2019. She was promoted to clinical associate professor in 2023. With over 15 years of experience managing surgical and non-surgical orthodontic treatments for neonates, infants, and children with craniofacial dysmorphism, she brings extensive expertise to this new role. Her prior experience includes work at the University of Pennsylvania, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, private practices, and Kaiser Permanente facilities in Northern California.