Assessment of Outcomes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Management Involving OMFS and ENT Surgical Procedures: A...

"Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)" is a prevalent disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of upper airway collapse during sleep, leading to reduced oxygenation and frequent arousals. "Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)" is the gold standard treatment, but many patients exhibit poor compliance. Surgical interventions, particularly combined ENT and oral surgical procedures, are often employed when CPAP fails or is intolerable.

A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with moderate to severe OSA who underwent combined ENT and oral surgical interventions. The study included multilevel surgeries such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and maxillomandibular advancement (MMA). Outcomes were assessed using parameters such as "apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)," "oxygen desaturation index (ODI)," and "quality of life (QoL)" which were measured before and after surgery.

Postoperative results showed a significant reduction in AHI and ODI scores. QoL measures also improved substantially. The success rate, defined as a 50% reduction in AHI, was observed in 80% of the patients. The mean preoperative AHI was 45.3 ± 8.2, which reduced to 15.4 ± 5.1 postoperatively (P < 0.001).

Combined ENT and oral surgical interventions effectively lower the severity of OSA and improve patients' QoL. These procedures offer a viable alternative for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP.