Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by an anatomical obstruction during sleep to the normal flow of air from the upper aerodigestive tract to the lungs. It may be secondary to actual anatomical deficiencies anywhere from the nose, soft palate, or base of tongue, or to the abnormal loss of compliance of the soft tissues of the upper airway. It is exacerbated by excessive weight, and certain anatomical variations to the neck and throat, the presence of tonsils and adenoidal tissue, among other factors.
Bimaxillary advancement sleep apnea surgery, also known as maxillomandibular advancement (MMA), moves both the upper and lower jaw forward, creating a larger airway and eliminating obstructions that cause sleep apnea.