Everyday Oral Surgery Dr. Chris Viozzi: power tips for treating OSA patients in your practice (and discussion on why you should treat them)
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and other types of sleep disorders can have detrimental impacts on people’s lives, young and old. Oral surgeons are extremely well positioned to diagnose and treat these disorders, and in today’s episode I’m joined by Dr. Chris Viozzi, Clinical Chair of the OMS program at the Mayo Clinic, who specializes in this field. Maxillomandibular advancement is the term that used to refer to the operation that can completely change the lives of people suffering from a sleep disorder. It is more complicated than most other types of surgery that oral surgeons perform, and it results in some long-term side effects, but it is also a whole lot more rewarding. Our conversation today covers a range of surgical and non-surgical do’s and don’ts which will supplement your already existing skills with the confidence to successfully treat this patient cohort who could really use your help!
Key Points From This Episode:
- Chris shares his journey prior to, and in the field of, oral surgery.
- What Chris spends the majority of his time focusing on at the Mayo Clinic.
- Why oral surgeons are well positioned to diagnose sleep disorders.
- The percentage of patients undergoing outpatient surgery that are likely to have a sleep disorder.
- Where you can learn to speak the language of sleep physicians.
- How to determine whether an OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) patient needs surgery.
- Methods which can be used to identify the site of obstruction.
- Examples of physical features which often signal an OSA.
- The more complicated nature of Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) surgery compared to other types of reconstructive surgery.
- Why Chris recommends multiple pre-op visits before doing MMA surgery.
- How the majority of patients respond to aesthetic changes to their face after MMA surgery.
- Gratitude that past patients Chris’s have expressed after their MMA surgery.
- Why Chris strongly believes that oral surgeons should treat patients suffering from sleep disorders.
- Pain management strategies that Chris recommends.
- Reasons that orthodontics for OSA patients should be avoided.
- Chris shares some valuable surgical tips for MMA surgery.
- Dealing with long term post-surgery side effects.
- Advice for how to manage patients with mental health issues coming in for MMA surgery.
- Problems which can be caused by OSA.
- A rapid fire round with Chris.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.com
Dr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720 441 6059
Dr. Chris Viozzi —
Dr. Chris Viozzi Phone — (507) 284-9062
Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/
Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/