Surgical approach for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), most common respiratory disorder of sleep, is characterized by intermittent partial or complete occlusions of the upper airway due to loss of upper airway dilating muscle activity during sleep superimposed on a narrow upper airway. Termination of these events usually requires arousal from sleep and results in sleep fragmentation and hypoxemia, which leads to poor quality of sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, reduced quality of life and numerous other serious health consequences. Untreated OSA may cause, or be associated with, several adverse outcomes, including daytime sleepiness, increased risk for motor vehicle accidents, cardiovascular disease, and depression. Various treatments are available, including non-surgical treatment such as medication or modification of life style, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and oral appliance (OA). Skeletal surgery for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) aims to provide more space for the soft tissue in the oropharynx to prevent airway collapse during sleep. Conventional surgical techniques include uvopalatopharyngoplasty(UPPP), genioglossus advancement (GA), and maxillomandibular advancement (MMA). Surgical techniques, efficacy and complications of skeletal surgery are introduced in this review.