I read with great interest the article “Respiratory distress in Pierre Robin sequence: an experience with mandible traction with wires” by Baciliero U., et al. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2011;40:464–470.

The aim of the study was to describe the resolution of respiratory distress and morphological improvement in patients affected by Pierre Robin sequence using an old technique first described by Rudolph Stellmach in 1957 rather than 1968 as noted by the authors in the article .

The patients included this study were treated during a timeframe ranging from January 1980 up to June 2008, spanning 28 years. Like the Senior Author, I had also just arrived in the Vicenza Department in 1980, which was under the direction of Prof. Camillo Curioni until 1990. Many of these cases were undoubtedly operated on by Prof. Curioni himself, who was one of the first to introduce this technique to Italy and Vicenza, based on Stellmach’s experience.

From a scientific point of view, therefore, the authors should have noted that the cases had been operated on by more than one surgeon and given to credit for those cases operated on and followed by Prof. Curioni.

I congratulate the authors on their contribution to the literature but feel it is important to recognize the Masters for their contributions to the care of those patients with Pierre Robin sequence.