Sleep apnea syndrome: correction with surgical advancement of the mandible.

Mandibular retrognathism is occasionally associated with sleep apnea syndrome. Most cases of this disorder have, until now, been treated with permanent tracheotomies. One patient with this syndrome was treated with surgical advancement of the mandible with bilateral C osteotomies and iliac corticocancellous grafts. Complete reversal of the sleep apnea symptoms and return of the sleep EEG to normal resulted after surgery. Although further study needs to be done, mandibular advancement would appear to be a preferable alterantive to tracheotomy for such patients.