scholarly journals The Impact of Upper Airway Stimulation on Swallowing Function

2019 ◽  
Vol 98 (8) ◽  
pp. 496-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin Huntley ◽  
Adam Vasconcellos ◽  
Michael Mullen ◽  
David W. Chou ◽  
Haley Geosits ◽  
...  

Objective: To evaluate the impact of upper airway stimulation therapy (UAS) on swallowing function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Academic medical center. Participants and Outcome Measures: We recorded demographic, preoperative polysomnogram (PSG), operative, and postoperative PSG data. We assessed the patients swallowing function using the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) dysphagia questionnaire. This was administered both pre- and postoperatively. The postoperative EAT-10 survey was administered at least 3 months after UAS implantation. Results: During the study period, 27 patients underwent UAS implantation, completed the pre- and postoperative EAT-10 questionnaire, met inclusion/exclusion criteria, and were included in the study. The cohort consisted of 16 men and 11 women with a mean age of 63.63 years. The mean preoperative BMI, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) were 29.37, 10.33, and 34.90, respectively. The mean postoperative ESS and AHI were 5.25 and 7.59, respectively. These were both significantly lower than the preoperative values ( P = .026 and P < .001). The mean pre- and postoperative EAT-10 scores were 0.37 and 0.22, respectively ( P = .461). Conclusion: Our data suggest that UAS likely does not lead to postoperative dysphagia.

2019 ◽  
Vol 161 (4) ◽  
pp. 714-719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirk Withrow ◽  
Sean Evans ◽  
John Harwick ◽  
Eric Kezirian ◽  
Patrick Strollo

Objective To evaluate the impact of age on safety, efficacy, and usage of upper airway stimulation (UAS). Study Design Multicenter observational study. Setting Thirteen US hospitals and 3 German hospitals. Subjects and Methods The ADHERE registry is a multicenter database enrolling patients undergoing UAS implantation from October 2016 to April 2018. Outcome measures included the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), therapy usage, and complications. Data were segmented by age (<65 vs ≥65 years). Results Younger adults (n = 365) were a mean ± SD 52.7 ± 7.9 years old and 82% male, with a body mass index of 29.6 ± 3.8. Older adults (n = 235) were 71.1 ± 4.8 years old and 71% male, with a body mass index of 28.8 ± 3.8. Baseline AHI was similar (younger, 36.2 ± 15.9; older, 36.1 ± 14.8). Both groups had lower AHI at 12 months versus baseline ( P < .001), but the older group showed a greater reduction (7.6 ± 6.9 vs 11.9 ± 13.4, P = .01). The Epworth Sleepiness Scale score decreased from 12.3 ± 5.4 to 7.1 ± 4.8 ( P < .001) among younger adults and from 10.7 ± 5.7 to 6.3 ± 4.4 ( P < .001) among older adults. Usage was slightly higher among older adults (6.0 ± 2.0 vs 5.4 ± 2.1 hours/night, P = .02). Surgical time was similar between younger patients (2.4 ± 0.7 hours) and older patients (2.3 ± 0.7 hours, P = .40), with comparably low complications. Conclusion AHI reduction and therapy usage were found to be somewhat higher among patients aged ≥65 years who were treated with UAS. Surgical complications were low, in contrast to traditional sleep surgery.


ORL ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Lifeng Li ◽  
Demin Han ◽  
Hongrui Zang ◽  
Nyall R. London

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of nasal surgery on airflow characteristics in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by comparing the alterations of airflow characteristics within the nasal and palatopharyngeal cavities. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Thirty patients with OSA and nasal obstruction who underwent nasal surgery were enrolled. A pre- and postoperative 3-dimensional model was constructed, and alterations of airflow characteristics were assessed using the method of computational fluid dynamics. The other subjective and objective clinical indices were also assessed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> By comparison with the preoperative value, all postoperative subjective symptoms statistically improved (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05), while the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) changed little (<i>p</i> = 0.492); the postoperative airflow velocity and pressure in both nasal and palatopharyngeal cavities, nasal and palatopharyngeal pressure differences, and total upper airway resistance statistically decreased (all <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.01). A significant difference was derived for correlation between the alteration of simulation metrics with subjective improvements (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05), except with the AHI (<i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Nasal surgery can decrease the total resistance of the upper airway and increase the nasal airflow volume and subjective sleep quality in patients with OSA and nasal obstruction. The altered airflow characteristics might contribute to the postoperative reduction of pharyngeal collapse in a subset of OSA patients.


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A171-A172
Author(s):  
Mohammed Jomha ◽  
Shalini Manchanda ◽  
Stephanie Stahl ◽  
Noah Parker

Abstract Introduction Insomnia and restless legs syndrome (RLS) are common sleep disorders that may impact obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment. To our knowledge, no studies have investigated whether these comorbidities affect upper airway stimulation (UAS) therapy adherence and outcomes. This study aims to explore possible effects of insomnia and RLS in patients using UAS therapy. Methods All patients who underwent UAS system implantation for treatment of OSA at our facility were retrospectively studied. Pre- and post-implant histories and data, including diagnostic sleep testing, otolaryngology evaluation, activation results, and treatment evaluation, were analyzed. Patients with no insomnia or RLS were compared to patients with insomnia, RLS, or both. Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and adherence were compared pre- and post-treatment for each group. Results Sixty-four patients who have undergone UAS implantation at our center have completed post-treatment in-lab titration and evaluation of their UAS system. Insomnia was present in 47%, RLS in 28%, and both insomnia and RLS in 14%. In all groups, the overall AHI during in-lab titration was &gt;50% lower than the pre-treatment AHI (16.1+/-14.3/h vs 32.5+/-13.1/h, p&lt;0.001). While the trend in AHI reductions suggested a lower AHI in those without insomnia or RLS, the reduction did not reach statistical significance (no insomnia or RLS 15.7+/-12.9/h, insomnia 16.9+/-16.7/h, RLS 19.0+/-15.5/h, both insomnia and RLS 23.4+/-18.4/h). UAS therapy usage was reduced in patients with RLS (3.9+/-2.6 h/night, p=0.029) and in patients with both insomnia and RLS (3.9+/-1.3 h/night, p=0.046) compared to patients with neither comorbidity (5.9+/-1.9 h/night). Mean reduction in ESS was similar across groups, averaging from 11+/-5 pre-treatment to 7+/-5 post-treatment (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion Insomnia and RLS are common in patients using UAS therapy for OSA. Pre- and post-treatment residual AHI and ESS significantly improved in all patient groups assessed. A decrease in UAS usage was present in patients with RLS and both RLS and insomnia. Our study suggests that identification and treatment of RLS and insomnia may play an important role for UAS therapy adherence and efficacy, thus, optimizing care. Support (if any):


2019 ◽  
Vol 161 (4) ◽  
pp. 694-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bharat Bhushan ◽  
James W. Schroeder ◽  
Kathleen R. Billings ◽  
Nicholas Giancola ◽  
Dana M. Thompson

ObjectiveLaryngomalacia has been reported to contribute to the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children. It is unclear if surgical treatment of laryngomalacia improves polysomnography (PSG) outcomes in these patients. The objective of this study is to report the impact of supraglottoplasty on PSG parameters in children with laryngomalacia-related OSA.Study DesignRetrospective case series.SettingTertiary care medical center.Subjects and MethodsHistorical cohort study of consecutive children with laryngomalacia who underwent supraglottoplasty and who had undergone overnight PSG before and after surgery.ResultsForty-one patients were included in the final analysis: 22 (53.6%) were male, and 19 (46.3%) were female. The mean ± SEM age of patients at preoperative PSG was 1.3 ± 0.89 years (range, 0.003-2.9). In entire cohort, the mean obstructive apnea-hypopnea index score was reduced from 26.6 events/h before supraglottoplasty to 7.3 events/h after surgery ( P = .003). Respiratory disturbance index was reduced from 27.3 events/h before supraglottoplasty to 7.8 events/h after surgery ( P = .003). The percentage of REM sleep decreased from 30.1% ± 2.4 to 24.8% ± 1.3 ( P = .04). Sleep efficiency was improved ( P = .05).ConclusionOverall, supraglottoplasty significantly improved several PSG outcomes in children with laryngomalacia. However, mild to moderate OSA was still present postoperatively in most children. This suggested a multifactorial cause for OSA in this population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seda Beyhan Sagmen ◽  
Sevda Cömert

Abstract Background Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition characterized by the complete or partial obstruction of the upper airway during sleep. This study aimed to compare the clinical and polysomnographic characteristics of our obstructive sleep apnea patients according to their positional and non-positional features. Results Two hundred eighty patients were included in the study. One hundred two patients (36.43%) were female, while 178 patients (63.57%) were male. While 88 (31.43%) of these patients were defined as positional patients, 192 (68.57%) were defined as non-positional patients. The mean age of the positional patients (46.78 ± 9.66) was lower than the mean age of the non-positional patients (50.90 ± 10.96) (p 0.001). Similarly, the mean body mass index of the positional patients (29.39 ± 3.80) was lower than the mean body mass index of the non-positional patients (33.30 ± 6.45) (p < 0.001). Neck circumference values of the positional patients (40.36 ± 2.65) were lower compared to the non-positional patients (43.32 ± 2.54) (p < 0.001). Sleep values were compared based on the presence of positional sleep apnea. In the positional patients, sleep duration, sleep efficiency (percentage), duration of stage N3, minimum, and mean saturation values were found to be higher compared to the non-positional patients, while nightlong apnea hypopnea index, apnea index, percentage of sleep time with oxygen saturation below 90%, oxygen desaturation index, mean heart rate, and periodic limb movement index values were found to be lower (p < 0.05). The rate of severe sleep apnea (7.95%) in the positional patients was lower than the non-positional patients (53.65%) (p < 0.001). Conclusion In the light of these data, positional OSA is a very important condition presented in 31.43% of OSA patients and it was determined that these patients were younger, had less body mass index, and shorter neck circumference. The rate of severe disease was found to be lower in positional OSA patients


2020 ◽  
pp. 000348942095317
Author(s):  
Colin Huntley ◽  
Maurits Boon ◽  
Samuel Tschopp ◽  
Kurt Tschopp ◽  
Carolyn M Jenks ◽  
...  

Objective: To compare patients with moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) undergoing traditional single and multilevel sleep surgery to those undergoing upper airway stimulation (UAS). Study Design: Case control study comparing retrospective cohort of patients undergoing traditional sleep surgery to patients undergoing UAS enrolled in the ADHERE registry. Setting: 8 multinational academic medical centers. Subjects and Methods: 233 patients undergoing prior single or multilevel traditional sleep surgery and meeting study inclusion criteria were compared to 465 patients from the ADHERE registry who underwent UAS. We compared preoperative and postoperative demographic, quality of life, and polysomnographic data. We also evaluated treatment response rates. Results: The pre and postoperative apnea hypopnea index (AHI) was 33.5 and 15 in the traditional sleep surgery group and 32 and 10 in the UAS group. The postoperative AHI in the UAS group was significantly lower. The pre and postoperative Epworth sleepiness scores (ESS) were 12 and 6 in both the traditional sleep surgery and UAS groups. Subgroup analysis evaluated those patients undergoing single level palate and multilevel palate and tongue base traditional sleep surgeries. The UAS group had a significantly lower postoperive AHI than both traditional sleep surgery subgroups. The UAS group had a higher percentage of patients reaching surgical success, defined as a postoperative AHI <20 with a 50% reduction from preoperative severity. Conclusion: UAS offers significantly better control of AHI severity than traditional sleep surgery. Quality life improvements were similar between groups.


2016 ◽  
Vol 155 (1) ◽  
pp. 188-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
David T. Kent ◽  
Jake J. Lee ◽  
Patrick J. Strollo ◽  
Ryan J. Soose

Objective To review outcome measures and objective adherence data for patients treated with hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) therapy for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Academic sleep medicine center. Subjects and Methods The first 20 implanted patients to complete postoperative sleep laboratory testing were assessed. All patients had moderate to severe OSA, were unable to adhere to positive pressure therapy, and met previously published inclusion criteria for the commercially available implantable HNS system. Data included demographics, body mass index (BMI), apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), Epworth Sleepiness Score (ESS), nightly hours of device usage, and procedure- and therapy-related complications. Results Mean age was 64.8 ± 12.0 years, with 50% female. Mean BMI was unchanged postoperatively (26.5 ± 4.2 to 26.8 ± 4.5 kg/m2; P > .05). Mean AHI (33.3 ± 13.0 to 5.1 ± 4.3; P < .0001) and mean ESS (10.3 ± 5.2 to 6.0 ± 4.4; P < .01) decreased significantly. Seventy percent (14/20) of patients achieved a treatment AHI <5, 85% (17/20) an AHI <10, and 95% (19/20) an AHI <15. Average stimulation amplitude was 1.89 ± 0.50 V after titration. Adherence monitoring via device interrogation showed high rates of voluntary device use (mean 7.0 ± 2.2 h/night). Conclusion For a clinical and anatomical subset of patients with OSA, HNS therapy is associated with good objective adherence, low morbidity, and improved OSA outcome measures. Early results at one institution suggest that HNS therapy can be implemented successfully into routine clinical practice, outside of a trial setting.


2018 ◽  
Vol 127 (6) ◽  
pp. 379-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin Huntley ◽  
David W. Chou ◽  
Karl Doghramji ◽  
Maurits Boon

Introduction: Expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty (ESP) is a surgical option for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Upper airway stimulation (UAS) is an alternative that has shown success in initial outcomes studies. We compare outcomes of a cohort of patients undergoing UAS to ESP. Methods: We compared demographic and polysomnographic data of the UAS to ESP cohorts. We also calculated the proportion of patients achieving surgical success. Results: The ESP cohort consisted of 33 patients. The mean preoperative Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), O2 nadir, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and BMI were 36.47 ± 20.01, 82.63 ± 5.37, 10.69 ± 4.42, and 29.6 ± 4.49, which improved to 13.47 ± 18.74, 84.84 ± 5.48, 7.00 ± 5.81, and 29.92 ± 4.59 postoperatively. There was a 63.64% success rate. The UAS cohort consisted of 75 patients. The mean preoperative AHI, O2 nadir, ESS, and BMI were 36.76 ± 20.72, 80.24 ± 8.43, 11.18 ± 4.16, and 29.50 ± 3.96, which improved to 7.25 ± 11.19, 88.71 ± 3.25, 5.36 ± 3.35, and 29.36 ± 3.68 postoperatively. The success rate was 86.67%. We found a significant difference in gender, age, preoperative AHI, postoperative AHI, postoperative O2 nadir, surgical success, and patients reaching an AHI less than 10 and 5. Conclusion: Upper airway stimulation is a new surgical option for select patients with OSA showing comparable or improved outcomes to a cohort of patients undergoing ESP.


2008 ◽  
Vol 117 (11) ◽  
pp. 815-823 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evert Hamans ◽  
An Boudewyns ◽  
Boris A. Stuck ◽  
Alexander Baisch ◽  
Marc Willemen ◽  
...  

Objectives: Surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) caused by hypopharyngeal collapse of the upper airway can be considered in patients who are intolerant to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The present procedures addressing the hypopharynx are invasive and have substantial morbidity and limited efficacy. Methods: Ten patients (mean age, 44 years) with moderate to severe OSA, ie, an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) between 15 and 50, with CPAP intolerance were included in a prospective, nonrandomized, multicenter study to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a novel tongue advancement procedure. The procedure consists of the implantation of a tissue anchor in the tongue base and an adjustment spool at the mandible. Titration of this tissue anchor results in advancement of the tongue and a patent upper airway. Results: The mean AHI decreased from 22.8 at baseline to 11.8 at the 6-month follow-up (p = 0.007). The Epworth Sleepiness Scale score decreased from 11.4 at baseline to 7.7 at the 6-month follow-up (p = 0.094), and the snoring score decreased from 7.5 at baseline to 3.9 at the 6-month follow-up (p = 0.005). Four technical adverse events were noted, and 1 clinical adverse event occurred. Conclusions: Adjustable tongue advancement is a feasible and relatively safe way to reduce the AHI and snoring in selected patients with moderate to severe OSA and CPAP intolerance. Technical improvements and refinements to the procedure are ongoing.


2019 ◽  
Vol 160 (6) ◽  
pp. 1124-1129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad F. Mahmoud ◽  
Erica R. Thaler

Objective To examine whether patients with isolated retropalatal collapse perform as well as others following implantation with an upper airway stimulation (UAS) device. Study Design Retrospective review. Setting Single-institution tertiary academic care medical center. Subjects and Methods Following drug-induced sleep endoscopy, subjects who met inclusion criteria for implantation with a UAS device received an implant per industry standard. Subjects with isolated retropalatal collapse were compared with those having other patterns of collapse. Outcome measures included apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and nadir oxyhemoglobin saturation (NOS). Results Ninety-one patients were implanted during the duration of the study, and 82 met inclusion criteria for analysis. Twenty-five had isolated retropalatal collapse, while the remaining 57 had other patterns of collapse on drug-induced sleep endoscopy. For all patients, mean preoperative AHI and NOS were 38.7 (95% CI, 35.0-42.4) and 78% (95% CI, 75%-80%), respectively; these improved postoperatively to 4.5 (95% CI, 2.3-6.6) and 91% (95% CI, 91%-92%). There was no significant preoperative difference between groups with regard to demographics, AHI, or NOS. Group comparison showed postoperative AHI to be 5.7 (95% CI, 0.57-10.8) for patients with isolated retropalatal collapse and 3.9 (95% CI, 1.7-6.1) for other patients ( P = .888). Postoperative NOS was 92% (95% CI, 90%-94%) among patients with isolated retropalatal collapse and 91% (95% CI, 90%-92%) for others ( P = .402). Conclusions All patients showed significant improvement following implantation with UAS. Patients with isolated retropalatal collapse showed similar improvement to other types of collapse with regard to AHI and NOS.


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