An apnea is a momentary pause in breathing. Such pauses occur rarely during healthy sleep, but they can occur often in disturbed sleep. When apnea causes sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness, it's considered a sleep disorder requiring treatment. A 2010 survey published in "Sleep & Breathing" indicates that at least 5% of the population proves at risk for developing sleep apnea. Fortunately, several safe and effective remedies exist for this condition. Surgery is often prescribed and it has many benefits.
Physiological Benefits
According to a 2010 investigation in the "International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery," surgical treatment for sleep apnea is effective and rewarding. Patients underwent "maxillomandibular advancement" surgery in this study. That technique moves the upper and lower jaw forward. This change creates a bigger airway, and it often makes cosmetic improvements to the patients' appearance. The larger airway decreased sleep apnea and the aesthetic change increased self-esteem.
A 2010 experiment in the same journal looked at the effects of "mandibular distraction osteogenesis" in a pediatric population. This procedure lengthens the lower jaw by separating it into two pieces, then allowing a natural graft to fill the gap. Children with serious medical conditions were tested. Such patients would normally be treated by tracheostomy. That technique bypasses the airway using a surgical slit placed in the throat. However, distraction osteogenesis removed the obstruction and prevented sleep apnea. The surgery also stopped the disease process, and it offered the children a normal life.
Behavioral Benefits
According to a 2008 report in "Acta Oto-Laryngologica," a common surgical treatment for sleep apnea called "uvulopalatopharyngoplasty" improves both apnea and sleep. This procedure involves removing excess tissue from the nose, mouth and throat. Patients showed a 50% reduction in apnea following surgery. They also slept longer and spent more time in deeper stages of sleep.
A 2009 study in the same journal looked at the effects of surgery on daytime sleepiness. Patients who had been treated 3 years earlier continued to show less apnea and better sleep. In addition, these people were less sleepy during the daytime hours than those who did not receive any treatment.
Practical Benefits
According to a 2009 review in "Health Technology Assessment," continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, therapy may prove the best treatment for sleep apnea. This technique requires a special machine and a respiratory mask worn during sleep. The CPAP equipment is expensive, bulky, and difficult to travel with. Compliance with the CPAP protocol is often low because it requires a strict nighttime routine.
Surgical treatment provides a viable alternative to CPAP therapy. Surgery can cure the underlying disease present in sleep apnea instead of just treating the symptoms. It can also offer a permanent solution, which prove more effective and convenient in the long run.
References
- "Sleep & Breathing"; Prevalence of sleep apnea-related symptoms in a Persian population; B. Amra et al.; April 29, 2010
- "International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery"; Effectiveness of maxillo-mandibular advancement in obstructive sleep apnea patients with and without skeletal anomalies; P. Ronchi et al.; April 28, 2010
- "International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery"; Mandibular distraction osteogenesis for pediatric airway management; M. Miloro; April 21, 2010
- "Acta Oto-Laryngologica"; Reorganization of sleep architecture after surgery for OSAHS; X. Sun et al.; November 2008
- "Acta Oto-Laryngologica"; Surgical intervention represents a feasible option for patients with mild obstructive sleep apnoea; J. Sahlman et al.; November 2009
