MAXILLOMANDIBULAR ADVANCEMENT SURGERY FOR THE TREATMENT OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA/HYPOPNEA SYNDROME (OSAHS)

Abstract

Treatment of upper airway occlusion (UAO) during sleep has been re-evaluated because of the observation of the failure of some therapeutic techniques. The different interpretations of the pattern of obstruction in UAO seem to determine the success or failure of surgical treatment. Surgery for maxillomandibular advancement has proved to be the most efficient surgical treatment of OSAHS (excluding tracheostomy), with a high success rate. In order to better understand the procedure of maxillomandibular advancement and to discuss the numerous difficulties pointed out, we present the diagnostic methodology, surgical description, results, complications, and advantages of this procedure. After surgery for maxillomandibular advancement, patients with OSAHS show the absence or a marked reduction of symptoms and improvement of polysonographic indices, with a consequent improvement of quality of life. Thus, this surgery represents an important tool to be used in the treatment of OSAHS.