The syndrome of obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS) is characterized by repetitive episodes of upper airway obstruction during sleep, usually associated with sleep disruption and decreased oxyhemoglobin saturation. Cephalometric analysis has become an important diagnostic method specific craniofacial characteristics, such as airspace posterior pharynx, tongue length and hyoid position, which may predispose patients to OSAS, in addition to clinical and polysomnographic data that help determine the areas that contribute most to anatomical obstruction of the upper airways. The maxillomandibular advancement is a very accepted mode of treatment for those patients with the syndrome of obstructive sleep apnea, either alone or combined with additional surgical procedures that may be related to factors such asobesity, hypotonia of the pharyngeal region and mandibular deficiency.

The first reports of the use of surgery maxillo-facial treatment of OSAS in the late 70s. Currently, surgical procedures, maxillomandibular advancement and chin are the treatments of choice for sleep disorders. Such surgical techniques include different types of osteotomies, being the most commonly used type of Le Fort I, sagittal and vertical osteotomies of the ramus and mandibular body in addition to surgical procedures of osteotomies of the mental basis. In this work we will try to show the realneed for orthognathic surgery for correction of OSAS and the importance of a multidisciplinary team for definitive treatment of patients suffering from obstructive sleep disorders.

Conflict of interest: None declared.