Which patient demographic is most likely to achieve greater surgical success from maxillomandibular advancement (MMA)?

Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) is a surgical procedure often performed to address obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by repositioning the upper and lower jaw to enhance the airway. The success of this surgery is influenced by several patient demographics, particularly age and baseline measures of sleep apnea, such as the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI).

Younger patients tend to have more favorable biological healing responses, greater tissue elasticity, and overall better health profiles, which contribute to improved surgical outcomes. Additionally, patients with a lower preoperative AHI generally present with less severe OSA. Having a lower AHI often indicates that the airway obstruction and associated symptoms are not as pronounced as in higher AHI patients, which can lead to a more significant improvement after surgical intervention.

Therefore, the demographic of younger patients with lower preoperative AHI is more likely to experience greater surgical success from MMA, as these individuals typically have less complicated presentations and may recover from surgery more effectively due to their overall health and the severity of their condition.