[Maxillomandibular advancement]

Area of Science:

• Sleep Medicine
• Otolaryngology
• Maxillofacial Surgery

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent disorder linked to serious health risks.
• Current treatments like CPAP may have compliance issues or insufficient efficacy.
• Surgical options are crucial for non-compliant or non-responsive OSA patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the effectiveness of maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
• To underscore the underutilization of MMA in Sweden despite its established benefits.
• To advocate for increased awareness and clinical implementation of MMA.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing meta-analyses and long-term studies on MMA efficacy.
• Presentation of two illustrative clinical cases of MMA for OSA.
• Analysis of guideline recommendations and current clinical practice in Sweden.

Main Results:

• MMA significantly reduces the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) by over 50%.
• The procedure leads to normalized sleep parameters, improved quality of life, and high patient satisfaction.
• MMA is recognized in international and Swedish national recommendations but remains underutilized.

Conclusions:

• Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) is a highly effective surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
• Increased awareness, national coordination, and broader clinical implementation are needed to improve OSA management with MMA.
• Addressing the underutilization of MMA can enhance patient outcomes and quality of life.