The importance of unobstructed respiration in sleep, and the long-term risks of sleep apnea, cannot be overemphasized. The therapeutic efficacy of the widely prescribed "gold standard," CPAP, is compromised by low patient acceptance and compliance.
In light of the limits of CPAP and other forms of conservative therapy (e.g., mandibular advancement devices), there is a growing tendency to explore and expand the role of surgery in the treatment of severe sleep apnea. New insights and developments in pathophysiology, surgical techniques, and implants have opened the way to increased success in treating sleep apnea surgically.
