Surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea.

Surgical therapy of the sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome is an attractive option to many patients as it avoids using therapy nightly for the remainder of one's life. This article reviews the outcomes of the surgical options available. The role of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is not yet clear. It may be useful second line therapy for some patients but cannot at present be advocated as first-line therapy. Mandibular maxillary osteotomy and advancement is an effective therapy of value in a minority of patients. Other procedures such as partial glossectomy and genioglossal advancement may also be of value in some patients. There is an urgent need for more randomized controlled trials examining the outcomes of surgical therapy for the sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome in comparison to continuous positive airway pressure therapy.