Genioglossus muscle advancement and simultaneous sliding genioplasty in the management of sleep apnoea

Abstract

Genioglossus muscle advancement (GMA) was reported in 1993 as an option for the surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), in the context of phase I of the Stanford University (Powell Riley) protocol. The rationale for this technique is the placement of tension on the base of the tongue, thus preventing the tongue from falling back into the posterior airway space. However, in retrognathic patients undergoing phase I of the Stanford University protocol, an additional genioplasty will provide a better aesthetic outcome. Furthermore, genioplasty is one of the most common and versatile techniques used for the correction of dentofacial deformities. The aim of this article is to describe a technique that allows a combination of genioglossus muscle advancement (GMA) and a simultaneous sliding genioplasty. This technique can be used in patients undergoing phase I surgery, or in patients in whom a sliding genioplasty could be complemented by GMA. The advantage of this procedure is the aesthetic enhancement obtained in GMA patients. The indications, contraindications, complications, and outcomes of surgery in the first 15 patients treated with this technique are reported herein.