[Maxillary osteotomy: an alternative treatment concept for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome]

This study contributes to the evaluation of the question whether patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome might benefit from maxillary surgery. Changes in nasopharyngeal and hypopharyngeal airway spaces of 13 non-apneic patients following maxillary advancement and/or impaction osteotomies were studied retrospectively by cephalometric analysis. The data suggest a long-term increase in both nasopharyngeal airway space and unexpected, in hypopharyngeal airway space which remained stable over time. The clinical implications are discussed in view of previous studies which suggest or recommend orthognathic surgery as a treatment modality in selected patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.