Emergence of Central Sleep Apnea Events After Maxillomandibular Advancement Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

PURPOSE: Central sleep apnea (CSA) can develop after the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). No studies have identified whether treatment of OSA with maxillomandibular advancement surgery (MMA) can result in CSA. The purpose of our study was to determine the incidence and clinical significance of CSA emerging after MMA surgery to treat OSA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients who had undergone MMA surgery for OSA at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the QEII Health Sciences Centre (Halifax, NS, Canada) from 1996 through 2016. All patients with preoperative level 1 polysomnography and follow-up level 1 study results available at least 6 months postoperatively were included the present study. The pre- and postoperative central apnea index (CAI) results were compared. RESULTS: A total of 113 patients (84 men and 29 women) with an average age of 44.0 years were included in the present study. In 35 patients (31.0%), the emergence of CSA events were recorded on postoperative polysomnograms. Only 2 of the 113 patients experienced the emergence of clinically significant postoperative CSA (CAI >5). In our patient cohort, gender (P = .085), patient age (P = .238), and preoperative (P = .716) and postoperative (P = .209) Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) results correlated with the postoperative development of CSA events after MMA surgery. The mean AHI values had decreased from 41.4 to 8.7 in all patients treated with MMA in our study. CONCLUSIONS: The emergence of CSA events occurred in 31% of patients after OSA treatment with MMA surgery. The rate of clinically significant CSA events emerging after MMA surgery in our study was 1.8%. These findings help to support the use of MMA surgery for OSA as a reasonable treatment alternative for patients unable to tolerate CPAP.

Objective and Subjective Outcomes Following Maxillomandibular Advancement Surgery for Treatment of Patients With Extremely Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (Apnea-Hypopnea Index >100).

PURPOSE: It is important for patients and treating clinicians to know whether maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) surgery is effective when treating patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and an extremely high apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) score. The purpose of this study was to evaluate objective and subjective treatment outcomes after MMA surgery for the treatment of OSAS in patients with a preoperative AHI score higher than 100. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included all patients who underwent MMA surgery for OSAS by members of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, QEII Health Science Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada) from November 1996 through February 2014. Objective data were available in the form of polysomnographs (PSGs) obtained before and a minimum of 6 months after surgery. Patients completed a self-administered questionnaire before and after surgery regarding snoring, witnessed apneas, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use, daytime somnolence, and overall satisfaction. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-five patients had MMA surgery, of which 13 had pre- and postoperative PSGs. PSGs showed a mean preoperative AHI score of 117.9 and a mean postsurgical AHI score of 16.1 (P < .001). Pre- and postoperative questionnaires were available for 9 patients. After surgery, 7 patients denied having any daytime sleepiness and 2 patients reported minimal daytime sleepiness. The mean preoperative Epworth Sleepiness Scale score was 12.9 (standard deviation [SD], 5.5), whereas the postoperative mean score was 5.0 (SD, 4.1; P = .004). Before surgery, all 9 patients reported loud snoring and 8 reported witnessed apneas. After surgery, 2 patients reported minimal snoring and only 1 patient continued to have witnessed apneas. Six patients used CPAP preoperatively and only 1 patient continued to use CPAP after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that MMA surgery for treatment of extremely severe OSA can be a highly successful 1-stage surgery, which eliminates the use of CPAP, improves subjective outcomes, and considerably decreases the AHI score.

Preventive Strategies for Patients at Risk of Medication-related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw.

For patients at risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), information can be provided by the pharmaceutical manufacturer, pharmacist, prescribing physician, dentist, and oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Prevention strategies to reduce the incidence of osteonecrosis should be applied as soon as it is determined that a patient will be placed on antiresorptive medication. Proper screening involves a comprehensive oral examination with radiographs followed by oral hygiene instruction and necessary dental treatment; surgical techniques and adjunctive therapies that favor optimum healing of bone and soft tissue decrease the risk of ONJ. No dental procedures are absolutely contraindicated.

Management of fractures of the mandibular body and symphysis.

Mandibular fracture, specifically in the symphysis and body regions combined, is the most common facial fracture requiring hospitalization in North America. The primary treatment objective is to restore form and function by achieving anatomic reduction and placing fixation that eliminates mobility of the bone fragments. Several treatment options and surgical techniques are available for performing closed or open reduction. Special considerations are necessary when treating pediatric patients and fractures of the edentulous mandible. Complications relating to the tooth and denture-bearing regions of the mandible include infection, nonunion, and neurosensory changes.

The effect of rubber dam placement on the arterial oxygen saturation in dental patients.

This study assessed the effect of rubber dam placement on arterial blood oxygen saturation in dental patients; it also determined whether the effects are technique sensitive. The study group consisted of 28 ASA Class I patients who were randomly allocated to one of two groups: Group A--rubber dam isolation of the maxilla (from tooth #14 to #6) and Group B-rubber dam isolation of the mandible (from tooth #19 to #27). A pulse oximeter was used to detect arterial blood oxygen saturation in both groups. Each patient's oxygen saturation (Sp02) was recorded every 30 seconds for two minutes to establish a baseline. Group A subjects received local infiltration in the vestibule above tooth #14, while Group B subjects received an inferior alveolar nerve block using 1.8 ml of 2% Lidocaine with 1:100,000 epiphrine, respectively. During the subsequent five minutes, the patient's Sp02 was recorded every 30 seconds. A rubber dam was then placed, which extended to the anterior septal angle (which completely covers the nose). This rubber dam remained in place for 20 minutes, with the patient's Sp02 being recorded every 30 seconds. The rubber dam was then altered (cut) to expose the nasal passages, creating what is known as proper rubber dam isolation, and the Sp02 was recorded every 30 seconds for 20 minutes. In both groups, there was no significant change in arterial oxygen saturation before or after rubber dam isolation was performed. Also, there was no significant difference in Sp02 when comparing the rubber dam isolation technique. Although rubber dam placement has no effect on blood oxygen levels in healthy patients, its effects on unhealthy patients are unknown.