Mandibulectomy without reconstruction can cause sleep apnea.

Anterior mandibulectomy can precipitate the development of sleep apnea. All head and neck tumor patients having had extensive composite anterior oral cavity resections should be evaluated for sleep apnea before decannulation of their tracheostomy tube. Subsequent flap and/or rigid reconstruction of the lower jaw appears to prevent the development of sleep apnea. Fascial sling suspension of the lower lip does not appear to prevent sleep apnea.