Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Surgery (OSA):
OSA is a sleep-related breathing disorder which involves the partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway due to relaxation of the walls of the throat. Over time, this can cause snoring, poor sleep and significant health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke or heart attack.
The gold standard of treatment usually involves continual-positive-airway-pressure (CPAP), which involves the patient wearing a machine during sleep, every night. For patients who do not tolerate CPAP – or are burdened by the discomfort, inconvenience and social stigma of CPAP – surgically advancing one of both jaws is the most successful surgical procedure available, in appropriately selected cases.
Our Surgeons are highly experienced in performing Maxillo-Mandibular Advancement (MMA) for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) patients and have a comprehensive understanding of the special considerations that must be accounted for. We work closely with your sleep physician to aim for a cure of OSA and ultimately a life off CPAP.
Mr Richard Cobb is the Maxillofacial Lead for the multi-disciplinary management of OSA within Auckland DHB.
