Severe sleep apnea: Decided to undergo MMA orthognathic surgery for the sake of the child

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

Preoperative symptoms	surgical plan
Severe sleep apnea, chin and mandibular retraction	3D customized orthognathic surgery Chin advancement surgery Multi-level airway widening

postoperative changes

Diagnosis and treatment plan and postoperative changes

This is a patient diagnosed with severe sleep apnea (severe obstructive sleep apnea/OSA) (AHI=69.8). The experience is similar to that of many patients. First, the snoring is so loud that his partner has to wear earplugs every day when sleeping. situation.

After the birth of a child, one cannot always ask the child to wear earplugs obediently. In addition to causing trouble to his family, long-term sleep deprivation at night also causes severe daytime somnolence. For himself and his family, he is determined to take good care of it.

He tried almost every non-surgical method that would be recommended: side sleeping, CPAP, and mandibular advancement device (MAD), but the results were very limited because his AHI value was too high.

Therefore, he decided to undergo the surgery with the highest success rate currently: MMA (maxillo-mandibular advancement) (a type of orthognathic surgery). After surgery, the AHI value dropped from 69.8 to 13, and the minimum blood oxygen concentration during sleep also increased from the dangerous 53% to 83%.

A comparison of sleep monitoring reports before and after surgery showed that the AHI decreased from 69.8 to 13, and the lowest blood oxygen level increased from 531 TP3T to 831 TP3T.

But, the most important thing is that he feels very energetic during the day, he does not feel drowsy when driving, his physical strength has improved, his weight and blood pressure have gradually dropped, and his wife no longer needs to use earplugs.

Appearance changes

Frontal appearance comparison of patients with severe sleep apnea before and after orthognathic surgery

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

Comparison of facial and jawline lines from the side and back view before and after orthognathic surgery

Comparison of tomography before and after surgery

Computed tomography (CT) images of the airway before and after MMA orthognathic surgery: red indicates narrowing, and blue indicates widening.

Comparison of lateral craniofacial bones before and after MMA orthognathic surgery; fixation plates are visible postoperatively.

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.