ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY FOR THE TREATMENT OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of orthognathic surgery in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), focusing on the reduction of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and improvement in patients' quality of life. A systematic literature review was conducted, including clinical studies, cohort studies, and case series available in major scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. The analysis covered 15 selected studies that provided data on the effects of orthognathic surgery in OSA patients. The results indicated a significant reduction in the AHI post-surgery, with an improvement of 50% to 60% in the analyzed cases. Additionally, a reduction in daytime sleepiness symptoms and an overall improvement in quality of life were observed, especially in cases of mandibular retrognathia and maxillary hypoplasia. Complications were minimal, with an incidence rate of 10%, most being mild in nature. It was concluded that orthognathic surgery is an effective option for the treatment of moderate to severe OSA, particularly when there are anatomical abnormalities in the upper airway, showing good results when compared to other treatments, such as CPAP.