MMA surgery to treat sleep apnea

release date : 2024-11-28
Updated: August 31, 2026
Author: Fenghua United Clinic

Preoperative symptoms	surgical plan
Moderate sleep apnea, mandibular and chin retrusion	3D customized orthognathic surgery and chin plastic surgery

postoperative changes

Dr. Xie Mingji｜Orthognathic surgery for sleep apnea and mandibular retrusion

Diagnosis and treatment plan and postoperative changes

This is a typical patient with moderate sleep apnea (AHI = 22.9) and abnormal daytime sleepiness (ESS = 14), accompanied by mandibular and chin retrusion and sleep segmentation.

The preoperative sleep study report, with an AHI of 22.9, indicated moderate sleep apnea.

He tried CPAP therapy but stopped using it because it was intolerable. Considering the comprehensive treatment goals, including high success rate, facial appearance, occlusal function and other factors, it was decided to use combined correction and orthognathic surgery. The surgical plan included counterclockwise rotation and forward movement of the upper and lower jaw bones (CCW-MMA). .

The results of the sleep report 6 months after the operation showed that his AHI value dropped to 2.7 (reaching the level of cure), and he no longer had daytime sleepiness (ESS = 2). The patient was also satisfied with the improvement in appearance.

Post-operative home sleep monitoring report: AHI dropped to 2.7.

*Note

AHI = Apnea-Hypopnea Index: Sleep apnea index: the number of apneas and hypopneas per hour of sleep
ESS = Epworth sleepiness Scale Epworth sleepiness scale: degree of sleepiness
CCW = Counterclockwise Rotations Counterclockwise rotation
MMA = Maxillo-Mandibular Advancement

Appearance changes

Frontal appearance comparison before and after orthognathic surgery for patients with mandibular retrusion

A before-and-after comparison of a smile after orthognathic surgery, showing the corrective device.

Comparison of 45-degree bevel appearance before and after orthognathic surgery

Comparison of 45-degree angled smile appearance before and after orthognathic surgery

Comparison of chin and jaw contours before and after orthognathic surgery

Comparison of facial smile contours before and after orthognathic surgery

Comparison of tomography before and after surgery

3D tomographic comparison of craniofacial skeleton before and after counterclockwise rotation and forward mandibular surgery

Warm reminder

Please follow the instructions of the doctor and nursing staff, take medicine regularly, pay attention to dietary taboos and keep the wound clean.
There may be complications such as bleeding, infection, inflammation, etc. after surgery. The degree will vary according to individual physical differences, so careful care is required. If the above situations occur, please contact us as soon as possible.
It is normal for 3 to 6 months after surgery to experience temporary slow sensation and unnatural expressions at the surgical site. Through independent massage and facial expression exercises, most patients will gradually improve within 6 to 12 months after surgery.
Anesthesia has certain risks, which are related to the patient's own physical condition. Patients must honestly and clearly report their health status and treatment history to the treating physician and anesthesiologist, and do not hide anything.
It is recommended to communicate with the doctor before surgery and clearly express treatment needs. However, the aesthetic appearance after surgery is subjective and should not be used as a basis for judgment of surgical results.
The results of surgery vary from person to person and need to be evaluated by a professional physician. Case pictures are publicly used with the authorization of the parties involved as auxiliary explanations of diagnosis and treatment, health education and medical knowledge sharing, and are for reference only.