Headache and irritability turned out to be caused by severe obstructive sleep apnea

  • Updated: August 31, 2026
  • Author: Fenghua United Clinic
The operating room at Feng Hua Joint Clinic is equipped with surgical lights and anesthesia machines.
The main visual of a patient undergoing orthognathic surgery for severe sleep apnea shows receding chin and mandibular bones.
Preoperative symptomssurgical plan
Severe sleep apnea, chin and mandibular retraction3D customized orthognathic surgery chin advancement surgery

Diagnosis and treatment plan and postoperative changes

This young man was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), with an Obstructive Sleep Apnea Index AHI of 55.8. He exhibited nearly all of the associated symptoms, including loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and anxiety.

The preoperative sleep study report showed an AHI of 55.8, indicating severe sleep apnea.

Like many other OSA patients, he refused to use a positive pressure respirator (CPAP) and instead sought other effective treatments. We performed counterclockwise rotational mandibular advancement surgery (MMA) combined with chin advancement surgery. We repositioned the upper and lower jaw bones to the front while tightening the airway muscles (including the soft palate, lateral walls, and tongue base, etc.) to prevent It collapses and relieves the blockage.

MMA has proven to be one of the most effective surgical methods for treating multiple levels of obstruction (including nasopharynx, soft palate, lateral pharyngeal walls, and tongue base) in a single surgery.

Many studies support that MMA is as effective as CPAP in treating severe OSA. Six months after surgery, the patient's AHI dropped to 3.9, and almost all related symptoms improved significantly.

Postoperative sleep monitoring report showed that the AHI (Acute Hypoxic Acid Scale) dropped to 3.9.

Preoperative and postoperative photographs and computed tomography scans demonstrated improved facial aesthetics and enlarged airway space.

Comparison of CT scans of the airway space before and after orthognathic surgery

Appearance changes

Frontal appearance comparison before and after MMA surgery in patients with severe sleep apnea
Comparison of 45-degree angled appearance before and after MMA jaw advancement surgery
Headache and irritability turned out to be caused by severe obstructive sleep apnea
Comparison of jawline and chin contours before and after MMA surgery

Comparison of tomography before and after surgery

Tomographic comparison of craniofacial bones and soft tissues of the side of the face before and after maxillary and mandibular advancement surgery
Comparison of 3D tomographic images of the airway before and after orthognathic surgery; increased airway space postoperatively.
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Warm reminder

  1. Please follow the instructions of the doctor and nursing staff, take medicine regularly, pay attention to dietary taboos and keep the wound clean.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
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