Stability of Modified Maxillomandibular Advancement Surgery in a Patient With Preadolescent Refractory Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) surgery can be considered a primary single-stage treatment for improving the quality of life in patients with preadolescent refractory obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aim of the present report was to evaluate the treatment efficacy and stability of modified MMA surgery in a growing patient with morbidly severe symptoms and medical complications. Using the follow-up results from the questionnaire, polysomnography, 2-dimensional cephalometry, and 3-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography measurements, the success of modified MMA surgery was assessed in terms of the postoperative improvements of functions and esthetics and postretentive stability of the improvements throughout the growth period. The present report provides some clinical recommendations when considering skeletal surgery in preadolescent patients with OSA: 1) the decision criteria of MMA surgery as definite treatment; 2) the proper surgical design for both maximum enlargement of the airway and esthetic improvement; and 3) the postoperative facial growth for long-term stability of airway function and skeletal improvement. With a systematic multidisciplinary approach, early surgical intervention can be used to treat OSA in children successfully and permanently.