[Orthognathic surgery for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea]

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common, often serious breathing disorder characterised by repeated partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway during sleep. The diagnosis and treatment of this condition are complex and require collaboration between several specialists. The aetiology is multifactorial, with obesity, age, sex, smoking, alcohol and drug use, genetic factors, and anatomical abnormalities all playing an important role in the development of the condition. Morphological abnormalities of the jawbones are increasingly being recognised as a cause of respiratory disorders. Thus, the role of orthognathic surgery is becoming increasingly important in the treatment of certain types of obstructive sleep apnea. This paper describes the role of orthognathic surgery in treating obstructive sleep apnea, based on international literature and personal experience. It investigates the relationship between facial aesthetic abnormalities and sleep apnea, how craniofacial structure affects airway patency, the mechanisms by which jaw surgery can improve airway obstruction, the evidence supporting its effectiveness, and the factors that influence outcomes. The overarching aim of the current research is to determine in which cases of obstructive sleep apnea it is worthwhile to perform orthognathic surgery, either as a standalone treatment or as part of a combination therapy. Orv Hetil. 2026; 167(43): 1730-1738.