Maxillomandibular advancement for obstructive sleep apnea

Surgical technique for maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) to improve obstructive sleep apnea is discussed in this article. Surgically advancing the maxillomandibular complex by at least 1 cm provides tension on the soft tissues in the airway from the soft palate to the base of the tongue, widening the pharynx in the anteroposterior dimension, but most importantly laterally. The tissues would no longer be able to collapse and obstruct the pharynx. Postoperative polysomnography in patients who have MMA is comparable to that of patients using continuous positive airway pressure therapy appropriately. Primary surgical MMA is highly efficacious. More long-term studies are needed for validating this valuable surgical alternative to continuous positive airway pressure therapy.