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C. Nasal Surgery
Nasal surgery is a procedure reducing the turbinate size, correcting the deviated septum
or enlarging the nasal valve so to improve nasal breathing. However nasal surgery alone
usually does not reach significant achievement in treating moderate to severe
obstructive sleep apnea. Nasal surgery is sometimes used to enhance a patient’s
tolerance toward CPAP therapy [13].
D. Jaw Surgery
Jaw surgery is the most invasive surgical procedure used to treat obstructive sleep
apnea. The surgical procedure may be limited to pulling the tongue forward
(genioplasty). An extensive procedure may need moving both the upper jaw and/or
lower jaw forward [4]. In severe cases of OSA, this treatment has a success rate of over
90%. [14].
1.2.3 Breathing-Assistance Devices
A. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
CPAP (Figure 1.4) is a machine firstly pioneered in treating OSA in early 1980s [15]
and is now the most common treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea in adults
[16]. It usually consists of a blower (air pressure generator), a humidifier, an air delivery
tube and a mask. There should be bias vent holes on the mask base or near the mask for
expelling the exhaled air so to make sure air received by the patient is fresh. The
machine provides continuous pressurized air flow from its blower (air delivery unit)
into the OSA patient’s upper airway pneumatically splinting the OSA patient’s airway
open [17, 18] (Figure 1.6). The air pressure should be adjusted to be just enough to
avoid patient’s airway from becoming narrowed or blocked [16].
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