Surgery to reset lower jaw

[shuckie]

Hi everyone

As I've mentioned in another post my consultant advised me that at least part of the reason I have sleep apnoea is because I have a set back lower jaw. He mentioned that I may need an operation to reset it.

Does anyone else have the same condition? If so would you consider the operation as a possible cure for your OSA? Alternatively, is there anyone here who has had their lower jaw reset? If so, did it make any difference to your OSA?

On the one hand I don't particularly like the thought of having my jaw operated on, but at the same time I'd like to keep my options open just in case CPAP doesn't work out for me.


Bye for now

shuckie

[James @ Intus]

I guess he's referring to maxillomandibular advancement surgery.

If an 'abnormal' lower jaw is the cause of the disorder, then it may well be very effective:

http://jada.highwire.org/cgi/content/full/133/11/1489

Conclusions. MMA is a highly successful and potentially definitive primary single-staged surgery that may result in a significant reduction in OSAS-related health risks, as well as financial savings for the health care system.

Having said that, it's quite an operation. The look of your face will change, often quite dramatically.

This page explains it in detail. You cut the jaw, move it forward and fix it all up again.

http://www.rcsed.ac.uk/journal/svol1_5/10500002.html

It could be a permanent fix, especially if you are not overweight (have not yet read your other threads). But I can't help but feel many ENT's and their jaw-surgeon friends see these cases as a nice way to practise their skills. Personally, I would always try 'reversible' methods first, if those options exist. If no joy, then go for invasive and often irreversible surgery like lasers and jaw surgery etc.

[acebass]

I have a set back lower jaw which gives me quite an overbite and (so I was told by my consultant) was at least partly responsible for my Sleep Apnoea..

Surgery? Not for me, there is no guarantee that this would make enough of a difference for me to be able to give up using CPAP, and as my compliance is pretty good, it is not an avenue down which I care to travel.

[shuckie]

Hi James and acebass

Yes, I have a set back lower jaw with a noticeable overbite. Having read the links to the surgery information, my immediate reaction was EEEK! Although I'm still not having much luck with the CPAP and still desperate for a decent night's sleep, I'd still much rather experience the "magic moment" when something clicks and I'm able to tolerate the therapy, rather than go down the scary-looking route of surgery.

Thanks for responding to my thread, I think I've made my decision now!


shuckie

[James @ Intus]

Don't let us put you off though, kepe an open mind.

What about an oral splint?

http://www.oral-sleep-therapy.co.uk - that's the high-end one we do, works very well with people who have such a jaw shape like you two. Provided you can push your lower jaw forward enough.

[shuckie]

Hi James

The oral split certainly looks like an interesting alternative to CPAP, though at the moment I don't have that kind of money lying around to pay for one

I'll see how I go with CPAP for a while and possibly consider the splint if I'm still struggling with CPAP in the future. If I can budget for one it looks more appealing than having my face cut open, that's for sure!


shuckie