Causes and Treatment Options for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

UAB Med Cast

The CPAP machine is a reliable standard of care solution for obstructive sleep apnea, but around half of patients are not able to use the device successfully. Brian Kinard, M.D., an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and Kirk Withrow, M.D., director of saliva and sleep surgery, discuss the wide range of soft tissue and structural facial procedures that can either solve sleep apnea or make the CPAP feasible for patients. They explain their patient-anatomy-specific approach for selecting the appropriate procedure, be it nerve stimulation, a fabricated mandibular advancement device, or nasal surgery. Learn how their complex work is further enhanced by collaboration UAB Sleep Medicine colleagues to generate and interpret data guiding treatment and success.