Surgical management of obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is most commonly the result of unfavorable anatomic configuration of the pharyngeal airway. Although tracheostomy bypasses the pharyngeal airway, other surgical approaches to OSAS modify the pharyngeal airway by extirpation of soft tissue or modification of the underlying craniofacial skeleton. Frequently more than one anatomic alteration is required for effective therapy. The techniques applied are determined by radiological and endoscopic assessment. Multiple techniques may be required and may be applied either in one surgical session or in sequential sessions.