Alternatives of OSAHS treatment: selection of patients for upper airway surgery and oral appliances

• Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is considered to represent the standard treatment for patients with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS), poor treatment compliance and/or refusal is an issue in ∼20-3% of these patients.As an alternative to life-long CPAP treatment, conservative procedures exist with dental appliances for mandibular advancement, as well as curative surgical techniques.Surgical treatment of OSAHS can be divided into the following two main groups:1) upper airway surgery by soft tissue resection (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, etc.), and2) skeletal procedures, such as maxillo-mandibular advancement. Proper selection of patients for the different treatment modalities is the key for full treatment success.Patient-related factors, such as the site of upper airway collapse, craniofacial characteristics, dental health, obesity, age, profession and positional dependence, as well as treatment-related factors, should be evaluated before a final proposal for these treatment alternatives is formulated.

Nyckelord

Apnoea

oral appliances

snoring

upper airway surgery

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)