case_images: PMC10873134_01
case_images: Intraoperative view. . a) Gore-Tex suture* is passed between the posterior edge of the chin and the hyoid bone. b) The thread is tightened to firmly connect the chin and hyoid bone.. *Gore Medical, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
case_images: cureus-0016-00000052458-i04.jpg
case_images: PMC10873134_01_cureus-0016-00000052458-i04.jpg
case_images: FIG4
case_images: The wound was closed after ligating Gore-Tex sutures to the extent that appropriate tension was applied to the hyoid bone (Figures 4, 5).
case_images: Intraoperative view. . a) Illustration of the osteotomy. Image credit: Author Makoto Omori. b) Model surgery. c) The distractor is fixed to the bone. d) Immediate postoperative view.
case_images: cureus-0016-00000052458-i05.jpg
case_images: PMC10873134_01_cureus-0016-00000052458-i05.jpg
case_images: FIG5
case_images: The wound was closed after ligating Gore-Tex sutures to the extent that appropriate tension was applied to the hyoid bone (Figures 4, 5).
case_images: Pre- and postoperative X-rays.. a) Preoperative X-ray. b) Pre-distraction X-ray. c) Post-distraction X-ray. d) Two years after surgery, showing obvious airway expansion (red circle).
case_images: cureus-0016-00000052458-i06.jpg
case_images: PMC10873134_01_cureus-0016-00000052458-i06.jpg
case_images: FIG6
case_images: Pre- and postoperative sagittal X-ray views.. Advancement of the hyoid bone and expansion of the airway are obvious.
case_images: cureus-0016-00000052458-i07.jpg
case_images: PMC10873134_01_cureus-0016-00000052458-i07.jpg
case_images: FIG7
case_images: Airway space just behind the hyoid bone was increased from 3.75mm preoperatively to 7.55mm postoperatively (Figure 7). 
case_images: Frontal (a) and lateral (b) views 27 months postoperatively.
case_images: cureus-0016-00000052458-i08.jpg
case_images: PMC10873134_01_cureus-0016-00000052458-i08.jpg
case_images: FIG8
case_images: Two years after the surgery, no worsening of apnea attacks had occurred (Figure 8).