ABSTRACT
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is caused by airway collapse due to anatomical and pathophysiological muscular changes in nasal aperture and nasopharyngeal and pharyngeal structures. The narrower the airway, the more likely complete collapse is to occur. Complete airway collapse leads to increased respiratory effort with relative hypercarbia and hypoxaemia. Global estimates of OSA prevalence vary but a conservative estimate is between 5% and 7%, with certain groups at higher risk. The surgical management of OSA patients must be a multidisciplinary team exercise and involve oral and maxillofacial surgeons; ear, nose and throat surgeons; orthodontists; sleep physicians; and, when required, specialist anaesthetists. Soft palate collapse remains the main focus for many clinicians treating OSA with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty being the most commonly used operation for OSA worldwide. Multiple variations of the original non-ablative technique have evolved to address the individual patterns of airway collapse.
