Large maxillomandibular advancements for obstructive sleep apnea: An operative technique evolved over 30 years

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can be a challenging disorder to treat. Maxillomandibular advancements (MMAs) generally have high success rates; however, larger advancements have higher success and cure rates. Our aim is to present and to describe the current technique used by the senior authors, which has been successful for performing large advancements, thereby improving post-operative outcomes.

The senior authors have developed and modified their maxillomandibular advancement operative techniques significantly over the past 30 years. The current version of the Riley-Powell MMA technique is described in a step-by-step fashion in this article.

Initially, as part of the MMAs, patients underwent maxillomandibular fixation with wires, lag screws and harvested split calvarial bone grafts. The current technique utilizes plates, screws, Erich Arch Bars, and suspension wires which are left in place for 5-6 weeks. Guiding elastics are worn for the first week. The MMA technique described in this article has yielded a success rate over 90% for patients with a body mass index (BMI) <40 kg/m(2) and 81% for patients with a BMI ≥40 kg/m(2).

Large advancements during maxillomandibular advancement surgeries can help improve post-operative obstructive sleep apnea outcomes.