A combined planning approach for improved functional and esthetic outcome of bimaxillary rotation advancement for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea using 3D biomechanical modeling

Methodological parameters for upper airway assessment by cone-beam computed tomography in adults with obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

A reliable method for analyzing the upper airway (UA) remains a challenge. This study aimed to report the methods for UA assessment using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

METHODS

We performed a systematic review (PROSPERO #CRD42021237490 and PRISMA checklist) that applied a search strategy to seven databases and grey literature.

RESULTS

In 29 studies with moderate-to-high risk of bias, investigators mostly reported the body position during CBCT (upright or supine) and hard tissue references, diverging in UA delimitation and terminologies. The meta-analysis showed two subgroups (upright and supine), and no statistical differences were identified (p = 0.18) considering the UA area. The volume in the OSA group was smaller than that in the control group (p < 0.003 and Cohen's d =  - 0.81) in the upright position. Patients with OSA showed smaller anteroposterior dimensions than the control group and were not affected by the position during image acquisition (p = 0.02; Cohen's d =  - 0.52). The lateral measurements were also lower in the OSA group (supine) (p = 0.002; Cohen's d =  - 0.6).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with OSA showed smaller UA measurements in the upright (volume) and supine (lateral dimension) positions. The anteroposterior dimension was also reduced in patients with OSA compared to the control group, regardless of the position during CBCT acquisition.

Satisfaction With Facial Aesthetic Appearance Following Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA) for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): A Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

A large cohort of patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) require surgical intervention, sometimes in the form of maxillomandibular advancement (MMA), to correct their functional disturbance. Such a surgical procedure typically results in a slight modification of the patients' facial appearance. The purpose of the current systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the rate of satisfaction with facial aesthetics post-MMA intervention and to assess its dependability on and relationship with other patient or treatment factors. Based on the literature currently available, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper to draw on the topic analytically.

METHODS

A search was conducted on four electronic literature databases (Pubmed, Ovid, Science Direct, and Scholar). Using referred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), our inclusion criterion covered any case with adequate reported data pertaining to the research question up to June 2021. Three evaluator groups were utilized. Satisfaction was defined as either an obvious reported increase in fondness for facial appearance or a state of indifference to the cosmetic results of the conducted changes. Dissatisfaction was defined as a clear discontent with the post-operative esthetic results. A multivariate analysis of the data was conducted, and Chi-square tests for independence were used to detect any significant associations. A meta-analysis of proportion was employed to permit for Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation and stabilize the variance of each study's proportion. Cochran's Q was computed, and the significance level was gauged as a function of P value.

RESULTS

Meta-analyses of proportion conducted for assessment of aesthetic appraisal following surgical MMA for OSA elucidated a significantly higher predilection towards aesthetic satisfaction after surgical MMA for OSA for all evaluator groups in the encompassed studies. 94.2% of patients were satisfied with their facial esthetics postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

The vast majority of patients that undergo MMA for the correction of OSA report satisfaction with post-surgical facial aesthetics. The subjective assessment of this parameter by physicians and laypeople portrays an equivalently significant skew toward post-surgical appearance improvement. MMA is a generally safe procedure that substantially contributes to enhancement of both overall quality of life and perceived aesthetic appeal.

Robotics in Pediatric Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Advanced Surgical Planning

Robotic surgery has been shown to be feasible and successful in several areas of pediatric head and neck surgery. However, adoption has been limited. Robotic surgery may be better integrated into practice with advanced preoperative surgical planning and the design of new robotic platforms with instrumentation specific for the application. With continued investigations, computer-aided surgical planning techniques including three-dimensional printing, virtual reality, multiobjective cost function for optimization of approach, mirror image overlay, and flexible robotic instruments may demonstrate value and utility over current practice.

A combined orthodontic / orthognathic approach in the management of obstructive sleep apnoea: Balancing treatment efficacy and facial aesthetics

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a prevalent condition and has been extensively managed with orthognathic surgery using a variety of surgical techniques. This case report describes the successful management of a 56-year-old Caucasian woman with a bimaxillary retrusive profile and macroglossia complicated by OSA and the combined use of orthodontics and orthognathic surgery to improve Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index while maintaining facial aesthetics. The non-extraction treatment plan included: (1) pre-surgical orthodontic treatment to maximise aesthetics and functional occlusion after surgery; (2) maxillomandibular advancement using down fracture of the maxilla (Le Fort 1 osteotomy) with counter-clockwise rotation as well as bilateral sagittal split osteotomy with septoplasty to aid increase in airway function; and (3) post-surgical orthodontic finishing and alignment with self-ligating fixed appliances. Optimum aesthetic and functional results as well as an increase in the airway volume were achieved, without compromising facial aesthetics, with the cooperation of two specialties and the use of state-of-the-art technology during the surgical planning stages.