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Re: Diagnosed with SA need MMA surg

Posted by seattlebill on March 24, 2005 at 13:51:46:

In Reply to: Diagnosed with SA need MMA surg posted by tradingdavid on March 24, 2005 at 03:14:28:

Hi David,

As you may have gleaned from previous posts, this is a big deal. Vetting your surgeon and OR facility is key. Mike from beantown has some excellent posts regarding advice on questions to ask, etc...

I've seen a surgeon from a major center in Atlanta published in the medical literature, and he seems to be a good bet. You must be happy with him/her no matter what is said or printed about them.

When I post on other OSA boards, I usually tell people to stick with CPAP or try Autopap because this procedure is really a big deal...especially if a PAP device is doing the job (unless, of course, they trully are ready for and must have surgery). For mild-moderate OSA this a significant procedure.

I'm not sure what others will say, especially since you are planning to have your mandible done anyway. The main thing I would do is find a surgeon (and I believe most are ENT boarded; or are cranio-facial boarded) who specifically does the MMA for sleep apnea. There are many different considerations about the airway than are taken into account by an oral surgeon doing BSSOs for other reasons. If you go to the extra risk of morbidity to move your upper jaw and perhaps tongue, then you'd want the expertise to rid you of your sleep apnea.

The facility is also important. Anesthesia and staff need to see this operation alot so that they are experts in managing your airway and post operative issues.

I wouldn't be in a big rush...take your time to pick a place and surgeon you are happy with. Most sought after surgeons will take months to schedule an MMA. It may also be that surgeons reviewing your sleep studies will suggest other procedures or protocols before doing the MMA.

Another place to look for non-OSA related questions and experiences are orthognathic surgery support groups & boards. They have good peri-op tips for advancement procedures...but apnea posters are very rare.

Good luck,

Bill

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