Estudio de la vía aérea superior frente a apneas obstructivas del sueño persistentes en pediatría / An approach to the upper airway evaluation in pediatric persistent obstructive sleep apnea

El síndrome de apneas obstructivas del sueño (SAOS) en pediatría constituye un trastorno asociado a múltiples consecuencias en el espectro cognitivo y comportamental. El principal factor de riesgo asociado es la hipertrofia amigdalina y las vegetaciones adenoideas. La adenoamigdalectomía es el tratamiento de primera línea. La incidencia del SAOS persistente varía entre un 15 % y un 75 % según las comorbilidades. Este se presenta como un desafío a la hora de tratarlo; requiere un abordaje integral para su diagnóstico y tratamiento adecuado. El objetivo de esta revisión bibliográfica es proponer un abordaje diagnóstico y terapéutico para el SAOS persistente.

In pediatrics, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a disorder associated with multiple consequences at the cognitive and behavioral level. The main associated risk factor is the presence of tonsillar hypertrophy and adenoids. An adenotonsillectomy is the first-line treatment. The incidence of persistent OSAS varies from 15% to 75%, depending on comorbidities. This is a challenge in terms of management; it requires a comprehensive approach for an adequate diagnosis and treatment. The objective of this bibliographic review is to propose a diagnostic and therapeutic approach for persistent OSAS.

Different rapid maxillary expansion methods in the treatment of adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome / 中华口腔医学杂志

Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a common sleep respiratory disorder characterized by upper respiratory collapse during sleep, with a high prevalence and potentially fatal complications. Currently, maxillary transverse deficiency are considered to be an important pathogenic factor of OSAHS. For patients with poor compliance with positive airway pressure therapy, rapid maxillary expansion can increase the volume and ventilation of the upper respiratory tract, which is an alternative treatment. This paper reviewed the current research on surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion, miniscrew assisted rapid palatal expansion, and distraction osteogenesis maxillary expansion in the treatment of adult OSAHS. By comparing the indications, contraindications, complications, efficacy and long-term stability of the three treatment methods, it provided reference for treatment of patients with OSAHS.

Effect of mouth breathing on upper airway structure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective:To compare the changes of morphology of pharynx in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome （OSAHS） and healthy individuals during oral or nasal breathing, and explore the relevant influencing factors. Methods:Twenty-nine adult patients with OSAHS and 20 non-snoring controls underwent MRI to obtain upper airway structural measurements while the subjects were awake and during mouth breathing with a nasal clip.The following were analyzed. ①The changes of upper airway structure of oral and nasal respiration in non-snoring control/OSAHS patients were observed; ②The differences and influencing factors of upper airway structure changes between OSAHS patients and controls were compared during breathing. Results:The control group consisted of 15 males and 5 females, with an apnea-hypopnea index （AHI）<5 events/h, while the OSAHS group comprised 26 males and 3 females with an AHI of 40.4±23.1 events/h and the mean lowest arterial oxygen saturation （LSaO2） was 79.5% ±10.0%. In the both groups, the vertical distance between the mandible and the posterior pharyngeal wall decreased （P<0.05）; The long axis of tongue body decreased （P<0.05）, and the contact area between tongue and palate decreased. There was no significant change in the total volume of the retropalatine（RP） and retroglossal（RG） airway in the control group （P>0.05）. However, the minimum cross-sectional area and volume of the RP airway in OSAHS decreased （P<0.001）. The lateral diameters of uvula plane in OSAHS decreased during mouth breathing, which was contrary to the trend in the control group （P=0.017）. The AHI of patients was positively correlated with the reduction of the volume of the RP airway during oral breathing （P=0.001）; The reduction of the distance between the mandible and the posterior pharyngeal wall was positively correlated with the length of the airway （P<0.001）. Conclusion:Mouth breathing leads to the shortening of the long axis of the tongue, the reduction of the contact area between the soft palate and the tongue, vertical distance between the mandible and the posterior pharyngeal wall, and the cross-sectional area of the epiglottis plane. These changes vary between OSAHS patients and controls. During mouth breathing, the diameters, areas and volumes of the RP area decreased, and were more significant in severe cases.

Implant-supported Dental Prosthesis and Orthognathic Surgery for Rehabilitation of Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea / Prótese Dentária Implanto-suportada e Cirurgia Ortognática para Reabilitação de Pacientes com Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono

Among the treatment options for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) we have surgery to correct dentofacial deformities. OSA patients are routinely and predictably submitted to surgical treatment for dentofacial deformities. Frequently, orthognathic surgery and osseointegrated implants may be necessary to enable fixed rehabilitation. Patients submitted to orthognathic surgery have a transient decrease in blood supply after maxillary and mandibular osteotomy procedures, which can impair the results in these cases. This case report aimed to present and discuss the conflicting situation of an OSA patient in need of orthognathic surgery and dental implants. The treatment consisted of: (1) extraction of all teeth; (2) complete rehabilitation of the upper and lower jaw with dental implants and prosthesis without compensation; (3) bimaxillary orthognathic surgery to re-establish the maxillomandibular relationship and increase the upper airway volume. This rehabilitation sequence was a safe alternative for a case of Class II OSA, and rapidly achieved a final restoration with enhanced esthetics, functionality, biomechanics, maintenance of oral hygiene, and patient satisfaction (AU)

Entre as opções de tratamento da Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono (AOS) temos a cirurgia para correção das deformidades dentofaciais. Freqüentemente, a combinação de cirurgia ortognática e implantes osseointegráveis pode ser necessária para permitir a reabilitação dental. Pacientes submetidos à cirurgia ortognática apresentam diminuição transitória do suprimento sanguíneo após procedimentos de osteotomia maxilar e mandibular, o que pode prejudicar os resultados nestes casos. Este relato de caso teve como objetivo apresentar e discutir a situação de um paciente com AOS que necessita de cirurgia ortognática e implantes dentários. O tratamento consistiu em: (1) extração de todos os dentes; (2) reabilitação completa da mandíbula superior e inferior com implantes dentários e próteses sem compensação; (3) cirurgia ortognática bimaxilar para restabelecer a relação maxilomandibular e aumentar o volume das vias aéreas superiores. Essa sequência de reabilitação foi uma alternativa segura para um caso de AOS Classe II, e rapidamente alcançou uma reabilitação com estética, funcionalidade, biomecânica aprimorada, manutenção da higiene oral e satisfação do paciente

Preliminary experience of surgical treatment for torus tubarius hypertrophy in children / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To assess the incidence of symptomatic torus tubarius hypertrophy (TTH) in recurred OSA in children, and to explore the preliminary experience of partial resection of TTH assisted with radiofrequency ablation. Methods: From January 2004 to February 2020, 4 922 children, who diagnosed as OSA and received adenotonsillectomy at the Department of Otolaryngology, The 4th Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital, were retrospectively reviewed. There were 3 266 males and 1 656 females, the age ranged from 1 to 14 years old(median age of 5.0 years). Twenty-two cases were identified with recurrence of OSA syndrome, and the clinical data, including sex, age of primary operation, age of recurrence and presentation, and opertation methods were analyzed. Follow-up was carried out by outpatient visit or telephone. Graphpad prism 5.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Twenty-two cases were identified as recurred OSA and received revised surgery in 4 922 cases. Among these 22 cases, 11 cases were diagnosed as TTH resulting in an incidence of 2.23‰(11/4 922), 1 case was cicatricial adhesion on tubal torus (0.20‰, 1/4 922), 10 cases were residual adenoid combined with tubal tonsil hypertrophy (2.03‰, 10/4 922). Median age of primary operation was 3.0 years (range:2.4 to 6.0 years) in 11 TTH cases. Recurrent interval varied from 2 months to 5.5 years (2.4±1.9 years) after first operation. Age of revised partial resection of TTH was 7.0±2.7 years (range: 4.0 to 12.0 years). Average time interval between primary operation and revised operation was 3.5±2.1 years (range: 0.5 to 6.0 years). Individualized treatments were carried out based on partial resection of TTH assisted with radiofrequency ablation. All of 11 cases received satisfied therapeutic results without nasopharyngeal stenosis occured. Twenty-two cases were followed up for 1.6 to 13 years (median follow-up time was 6.2 years). Conclusions: TTH contributed to recurred OSA in child. TTH might be misdiagnosed as tubal tonsil hypertrophy. Partial resection of TTH assisted with radiofrequency ablation was a safty and effective treatment.

Efficacy of relocation and expansion pharyngoplasty by suspension sutures in the treatment of OSAHS with soft palate oropharyngeal obstruction / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To explore the efficacy of relocation and expansion pharyngoplasty by suspension sutures in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods: Seventy-three patients(including 60 males and 13 females) with OSAHS admitted to the department of otorhinolaryngology of our hospital in recent two years were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients had velopharyngeal obstructionevaluated by electronic endoscopic Müller test and were divided into control group (34 cases) and observation group (39 cases). The patients in the control group were performed modified uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, while those in the observation group were performed relocation and expansion pharyngoplasty by suspension sutures.The scores of ESS, AHI and LSaO2 before and after treatment were collected and compared. Results: The total effective rate of the observation group was 94.87%, which was significantly higher than 79.41% of the control group. The AHI was lower and LSaO2 value was higher (χ2=-1. 896,-1. 968,P<0.05)in the observation group. The sleeping symptoms and quality of life of the two groups were significantly improved. The ESS score of the observation group was decreased more significantly than that of the control group after treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=-1.451,P<0.05). The incidence of foreign body sensation in pharynx of the observation group (89.74%) was higher than that of the control group (55.88%), and the postoperative bleeding and postoperative recurrence rate (0.00%, 2.56%) was lower than that of the control group (8.82%, 14.70%)with statistical significance (χ2=4.738,4.249,4.119,P<0.05).The incidence of transient nasopharyngeal reflux in both groups was low and statistically insignificant (χ2=0.629,P>0.05). Conclusions: Preoperative strict screening of indications plays an important role in the selection of palatopharyngeal surgery methods and curative effect. Relocation and expansion pharyngoplasty by suspension sutures can improve the clinical efficacy of OSAHS with better safety and less recurrence.

Efficacy of Han-uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (HUPPP) combined with radiofrequency ablation of tongue base or HUPPP with traction of tongue base on moderate to severe patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS):a multicenter randomized controlled trial / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To compare the therapeutic efficacy of Han-uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (HUPPP) combined with radiofrequency ablation of tongue base or HUPPP with traction of tongue base on moderate to severe patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods: This is a multicenter randomized controlled trial. From March 2017 to July 2019, moderate to severe OSAHS patients from three clinical center in Shanghai who were intolerant to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and with velopharyngeal and glossopharyngeal plane obstruction were enrolled in this study. According to the surgical type, they were 1∶1 randomized to HUPPP plus radiofrequency ablation of tongue base group (Ablation group) or HUPPP plus traction of tongue base group (Traction group). All patients completed over-night standard Polysomnography (PSG), upper-airway assessment (Friedman classification, Müller test, CT and cephalometric examination), preoperative routine examination, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Quebec sleep questionnaire (QSQ). Six to 12 months after operation, all the above-mentioned examinations were repeatedly performed. Changes of aforementioned variables before and after operation were assessed. Results: A total of 43 patients with moderate to severe OSAHS were enrolled in this study. One patient lost to follow-up, the remaining 21 were allocated to Ablation group and 21 were allocated to Traction group. The total therapeutic efficacy of all patients was 69.05% (61.90% in Ablation group and 76.19% in Traction group), but there was no statistical significance between the two groups (P= 0.317). The value of sleep scale score (ESS and QSQ), objective sleep variables (apnea-hypopnea index, oxygen saturation, percentage of time with blood oxygen less than 90% in total sleep time, oxygen desaturation index and micro-arousals) and upper airway cross-sectional area (palatopharyngeal and retrolingual area) of the two groups were improved (P<0.05), but the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: For moderate to severe OSAHS who had glossopharyngeal plane obstruction, both HUPPP plus radiofrequency ablation of tongue base or HUPPP plus traction of tongue base are effective treatment for OSAHS, and the curative effect is similar. The choice of surgical type could be selected according to patient's or surgical conditions.

Faringoplastía de reposición con suturas barbadas como tratamiento quirúrgico en pacientes con síndrome de apnea-hipopnea obstructiva del sueño / Barbed sutures reposition pharyngoplasty as surgical treatment in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome

INTRODUCCIÓN: La planificación de cirugías para el manejo del síndrome de apneahipopnea obstructiva del sueño (SAHOS) ha incrementado su precisión desde la introducción de la endoscopía del sueño inducido por fármacos (DISE). OBJETIVO: Evaluar la técnica de faringoplastía de reposición con suturas barbadas (BRP) para el colapso velofaríngeo y/o de paredes laterales orofaríngeas evaluado mediante DISE en pacientes con SAHOS. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Ochenta y ocho pacientes fueron evaluados para cirugía mediante antropometría, escala de somnolencia de Epworth (ESS) y poligrafía respiratoria. Veinte y seis de 88 pacientes fueron seleccionados. De los 26, 14 accedieron al tratamiento quirúrgico, el que se seleccionó en base a la DISE. En todos los casos, se realizó BRP. RESULTADOS: A los 3 meses de la cirugía hubo mejoría en 10/14 pacientes (criterios de Sher, disminución del índice de apnea-hipoapnea a <20 o 50% del basal). La ESS bajó en promedio de 12 a 5 puntos (p <0,05). No se reportaron incidentes en el posoperatorio y no han ocurrido eventos adversos. CONCLUSIÓN: La técnica de BRP es una técnica sencilla y útil para la expansión anterior y lateral del paladar blando y orofaringe, con una tasa de éxito similar en esta cohorte a la reportada internacionalmente.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical planning for the management of obstructive sleep apneahypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) has changed since the introduction of drug induced sleep endoscopy (DISE). AIM: To evaluate the technique of barbed sutures reposition pharyngoplasty (BRP) for velopharyngeal collapse and/or oropharyngeal lateral walls after DISE evaluation in OSAHS patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 88 patients were evaluated for surgery by anthropometry, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) and respiratory polygraphy. 26 of 88 patients were selected. Of the 26, 14 agreed to surgical treatment, which was selected on DISE findings. In all cases, BRP was performed. RESULTS: Three months after surgery there was improvement in 10/14 patients (Sher criteria, apnea-hypopnea index reduction at <20 or 50% of baseline). The ESS improved on average 12 to 5 (p <0.05). No incidents were reported in the post-operative period and no adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: The BRP technique is a simple and useful technique for the anterior and lateral expansion of the soft palate and oropharynx, with a similar success rate in this cohort to that internationally reported.

Lateral-Expansion Pharyngoplasty: Combined Technique for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Abstract Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a multifactorial disease characterized by episodes of partial or complete collapse during sleep of different regions of the upper airway. Surgery for OSAS evolved with the introduction of different techniques, considering new surgical concept of reconstruction of the upper airway. Objective To retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness of a new approach aimed at reducing pharyngeal collapse by combining two surgical techniques: lateral and expansion pharyngoplasty. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 38 patients with OSAS undergoing lateral/expansion pharyngoplasty from January 2012 to December 2016. The following data were collected: patient age, gender, and pre- and postoperative body mass index (BMI), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) scores, snoring visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, and polysomnography (PSG) results. Results The PSG results showed a significant reduction in the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) from 22.4 ± 27.3 events/h preoperatively to 13.6 ± 17.9 events/h postoperatively (p = 0.009), with postoperative AHI reduction greater than 50% in 63.2% of the patients. There was also a significant reduction in the microarousal index (19.5 ± 22.6 vs 11.0 ± 13.4 events/h; p = 0.001) and in the minimum oxygen saturation (82.6 ± 10.3 vs 86.9 ± 11.1; p = 0.007). Conclusions Lateral-expansion pharyngoplasty represents a new surgical strategy for the treatment of OSAS in patients with palatal collapse by combining two different techniques: lateral and expansion pharyngoplasty. The two techniques, performed as a one-stage procedure, led to improvements in excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring, and PSG respiratory parameters by acting on lateral and retropalatal collapse, produc- ing favorable results with good applicability in otolaryngology clinical practice.

Evaluación del impacto de la apnea obstructiva del sueño (OSA) Gestión de la calidad de vida (QoL) en pacientes pediátricos: un estudio transversal / Assessing the Impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Management on Quality of Life (QoL) in Pediatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: The study aims to assess the impact of obstructive sleep apnea on quality of life in pediatric patients along with their management approaches. Methodology: The study has applied a cross-sectional design to recruit children, visiting ENT clinics with the suggestion of obstructive sleep apnea. History and OSA assessment were collected for these children from the hospital. Besides this, OSA-18 questionnaire was used to collect the data, translated into Arabic language for respondents' feasibility. Results: A total of 24 patients (40%) were able to cure with medical treatment, whereas 36 patients (60%) were provided with surgical treatment. There were significant association between medical management and parental smoking (p-value=0.011), OSA score (p-value-0.003) and the size of adenoid (p-value=0.008). A significant association was also shown between size of adenoid and severity of OSA18 (p-value=0.031). No significant difference was shown between parental smoking, allergic rhinitis and severity of OSA. Conclusion: Although the surgical management is still the main modality in treating OSA, medical treatment plays an important role especially in cases with mild OSA, small adenoids and indoor smoking.

Efficacy of weight management combined with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for obesityrelated obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the clinical efficacy of weight management combined with pharyngoplasty for treatment of obesity-related obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).@*METHODS@#Sixty obese patients with OSAHS were randomly assigned into the combined treatment group and control group (@*RESULTS@#After 6 months of treatment, the patients receiving the combined treatment showed significant reductions of BMI, neck circumference and waist circumference as compared with the measurements before treatment and with those in the control group (@*CONCLUSIONS@#Weight management combined with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty can produce a good clinical efficacy for treatment of OSAHS with obesity, and the patients should have strengthened continuous family weight management while receiving surgical treatment.

Outcomes of Tongue Base Reduction and Lingual Tonsillectomy for Residual Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea after Adenotonsillectomy

Introduction: Upper airway obstruction at multiple sites, including the velum, the oropharynx, the tongue base, the lingual tonsils, or the supraglottis, has been resulting in residual obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (TA). The role of combined lingual tonsillectomy and tongue base volume reduction for treatment of OSA has not been studied in nonsyndromic children with residual OSA after TA. Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of tongue base volume reduction and lingual tonsillectomy in children with residual OSA after TA. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted to obtain information on history and physical examination, past medical history, findings of drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE), of polysomnography (PSG), and surgical management. Pre- and postoperative PSGs were evaluated to assess the resolution of OSA and to determine the improvement in the obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (oAHI) before and after the surgery. Results: A total of 10 children (5 male, 5 female, age range: 10­17 years old, mean age: 14.5 ± 2.6 years old) underwent tongue base reduction and lingual tonsillectomy. Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) revealed airway obstruction due to posterior displacement of the tongue and to the hypertrophy of the lingual tonsils. All of the patients reported subjective improvement in the OSA symptoms. All of the patients had improvement in the oAHI. The postoperative oAHI was lower than the preoperative oAHI ( p < 0.002). The postoperative apnea-hypopnea index during rapid eye movement sleep (REM-AHI) was lower than the preoperative REM-AHI ( p = 0.004). Obstructive sleep apnea was resolved in children with normal weight. Overweight and obese children had residual OSA. Nonsyndromic children had resolution of OSA or mild OSA after the surgery. Conclusions: Tongue base reduction and lingual tonsillectomy resulted in subjective and objective improvement of OSA in children with airway obstruction due to posterior displacement of the tongue and to hypertrophy of the lingual tonsils (AU)

Experiencia en pacientes operados de roncopatía y apnea obstructiva del sueño / Clinical experience in patients with surgery of rhonchopathy and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

RESUMEN Introducción: La uvulopalatofaringoplastía (UPPP) es un procedimiento ampliamente difundido en el tratamiento del ronquido y el síndrome de apnea e hipopnea obstructiva del sueño (SAHOS), ya que permite aumentar el área de sección transversal de la vía aérea superior y eliminar tejidos obstructivos. Conocer el grado de satisfacción de los pacientes con la cirugía es importante para nuestro desempeño. Objetivo: Evaluar la satisfacción de los pacientes con el procedimiento UPPP con cirugía nasal con datos subjetivos mediante la aplicación de una encuesta para ser respondida de forma anónima. Material y método: Estudio observacional, descriptivo. Se envió vía email una encuesta de 4 preguntas cerradas creada en la plataforma online MonkeySurvey a los pacientes que fueron sometidos a UPPP (faringoplastía de relocalización) con cirugía nasal entre 2015 y 2016. Resultados: 27 pacientes respondieron la encuesta. Sesenta y seis coma seis por ciento tenían ronquido primario y/o SAHOS leve, 33,3% SAHOS severo. La edad media al momento de la cirugía fue 41 años. El tiempo de seguimiento medio fue 10 meses (324 meses). Noventa y dos coma cinco por ciento de los pacientes están satisfechos con la cirugía UPPP; 81,4% refieren que recomendarían la cirugía a otra persona. Noventa y dos coma cinco por ciento refieren mejoría en los ronquidos. Noventa y cinco coma seis por ciento de los pacientes con somnolencia diurna refiere mejoría. Conclusión: La cirugía UPPP con técnica faringoplastía de relocalización combinada con cirugía nasal en pacientes con ronquido primario y SAHOS ha demostrado una alta tasa de satisfacción según la percepción de los pacientes en el seguimiento desde los 3 meses hasta los 2 años posoperatorios.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a widely used surgical procedure for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), since it allows to increase of the cross-sectional area of the upper airway and elimination of obstructive tissues. Knowing the degree of satisfaction of patients with surgery is important for our performance. Aim: To evaluate patient satisfaction with UPPP procedure (relocation pharyngoplasty) with nasal surgery with subjective data through the application of a survey to be answered anonymously. Material and method: Observational, descriptive study. A survey of 4 closed questions created in the MonkeySurvey online platform was sent to patients who underwent UPPP with nasal surgery between 2015 and 2016 via email. Results: 27 patients answered the survey. 66.6% had primary snoring and/or mild OSAS, 33.3% severe OSAS. The average age at the time of surgery was 41 years. The mean follow-up time was 10 months (3-24 months). 92.5% of patients are satisfied with UPPP surgery; 81.4% reported that they would recommend surgery to another person. 92.5% reported improvement in snoring. 95.6% of patients with daytime somnolence reported improvement. Conclusion: UPPP surgery with relocation pharyngoplasty technique combined with nasal surgery in patients with primary snoring and OSAS has shown a high satisfaction rate according to the perception of patients at follow-up from 3 months to 2 years postoperative.

The Role of Modified Expansion Sphincter Pharyngoplasty in Multilevel Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Surgery

Abstract Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a sleep disorder caused by an excessive narrowing of the pharyngeal airway that also collapses during inspiration, with an important role played by the lateral pharyngeal wall in the development of the obstruction. Objective To describe our surgical experience with modified expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty (MESP) in the management of lateral collapse in upper airway multilevel surgery. Methods A total of 20 patients with moderate to severe OSAS were recruited in the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department of the University of Palermo, Italy. All of the enrolled patients refused the ventilatory therapy. The subjects were evaluated for snoring, and daytime sleepiness had a clinical evaluation including collection of anthropometric data and ENT examination and rhinofibroscopy with Müller maneuver. The patients undergoing upper airway multilevel surgery and we selected for MESP the patients with an oropharyngeal transverse pattern of collapse at Müller maneuver. Results In the postoperative assessment, all of the patients reported a reduction in snoring scores and daytime sleepiness. We observed a reduction in the mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 57.5% of the sample, which decreased from a mean value of 41.7 ( ± 21.5) to 17.4 ( ± 8.9) (p< 0.05), with a success rate, according to the Sher criteria, of 65%. We observed very few postoperative complications. Conclusion Modified expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty in multilevel surgical therapy preceded by a careful selection of patients has proven to be effective in treating patients with moderate to severe syndromes.

Características posoperatorias de la faringoplastia combinada con amigdalectomía en comparación con la amigdalectomía en niños con síndrome obstructivo de apnea del sueño / Postoperative characteristics of combined pharyngoplasty and tonsillectomy versus tonsillectomy in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Objetivo. Identificar las ventajas posoperatorias de la amigdalectomía en conjunto con la faringoplastia en comparación con la amigdalectomía sola en niños con apnea obstructiva del sueño. Métodos. En un estudio prospectivo observacional, los pacientes que cumplían con los criterios del estudio fueron asignados aleatoriamente a dos grupos: el grupo de amigdalectomía y faringoplastia, y el grupo de solo amigdalectomía. En ambos grupos, también se practicó adenoidectomía a los pacientes con vegetaciones. Se compararon los procesos de cicatrización en la herida faríngea y las proporciones hemorrágicas. Además, se evaluó la función velofaríngea posoperatoria. Resultados. La faringoplastia junto con la amigdalectomía se practicó en 328 niños con apnea obstructiva del sueño debido a hipertrofia amigdalina, y la amigdalectomía sola, en 275 niños. Estas cohortes no mostraban diferencias demográficas significativas. Por otro lado, se encontró que la pérdida de sangre fue significativamente menor en el grupo que recibió amigdalectomía y faringoplastia (p < 0,01), y el proceso de cicatrización fue notablemente más breve. La función velofaríngea posoperatoria no resultó afectada. Conclusiones. En comparación con la amigdalectomía, la amigdalectomía junto con la faringoplastia redujeron la duración del proceso de cicatrización y la pérdida de sangre; no obstante, las complicaciones posoperatorias no aumentaron. En nuestra opinión, la combinación de faringoplastia y amigdalectomía reúne un gran potencial en el tratamiento de los niños con apnea obstructiva del sueño.

Purpose. The study aims to identify the postoperative advantages of tonsillectomy in conjunction with pharyngoplasty and tonsillectomy alone in children with obstructive sleep apneas. Methods. In a prospective observational study, patients who met the study criteria were randomly divided into two groups: tonsillectomy and pharyngoplasty group, and tonsillectomy alone group. In both groups, adenoidectomy was also performed in patients with adenoid hypertrophy. Differences in their healing processes in the pharyngeal wound and their hemorrhage proportions were compared. Furthermore, postoperative velopharyngeal function was also assessed. Results. Pharyngoplasty together with tonsillectomy was performed in 328 children with obstructive sleep apnea from tonsillar hypertrophy, and tonsillectomy was performed in 275 children. These cohorts did not reveal any significant demographic differences between groups. Furthermore, blood loss was found to be significantly decreased in the tonsillectomy and pharyngoplasty group (P <0.01), and the healing process was markedly shorter. Postoperative velopharyngeal function was not affected. Conclusions. Tonsillectomy in conjunction with pharyngoplasty reduced the duration of the healing process and blood loss, compared with tonsillectomy alone; however, postoperative complications did not increase. We consider pharyngoplasty in conjunction with tonsillectomy has great potential in the treatment of children with obstructive sleep apnea.

Hyoid Bone Suspension as a Part of Multilevel Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Abstract Introduction Since oropharyngeal surgery alone is often insufficient to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), advances have been developed in hypopharyngeal surgery. Objective To assess hyoid suspension surgery as part of amultilevel OSA surgery, also including palatal surgery. Methods The study included patients with OSA symptoms with apnea hypopnea index (AHI) > 15. They were scheduled for hyoid suspension after a nasoendoscopy during Müller maneuver and drug induced sleep endoscopy (DISE). All patients had body mass index (BMI) < 35 kg/m2. Hyoidothyroidopexy combined with tonsillectomy and palatal suspension was performed in all cases. Results The mean AHI dropped significantly (p < 0.0001) from 68.4 ± 25.3 preoperatively to 25.6 ± 9.52 postoperatively. The mean lowest oxygen (O2) saturation level increased significantly from 66.8 ± 11.3 to 83.2 ± 2.86 (p < 0.0001). In addition, the snoring score significantly decreased (p < 0.0001) from a preoperative mean of 3.4 ± 0.54 to 2 ± 0.7 at 6 months postoperatively. In regard to the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), it showed significant improvements (p < 0.0001) as its mean diminished from 13.8 ± 5.4 preoperatively to 5.2 ± 1.6 postoperatively. Conclusion Hyoidothyroidopexy using absorbable suture seems to produce a good outcome in treating OSA. It could be effectively and safely combined with other palatal procedures in the multilevel surgery for OSA.

Efficacy of minimally invasive tonsil surgery for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in children

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of minimally invasive tonsil surgery for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in children. Tonsil ablation or turbinate reduction was performed on 49 pediatric patients with OSAHS by minimally invasive tonsil surgery. In order to evaluate the efficacy of surgery, a comparison was conducted between pre-operation and post-operation data in terms of the symptoms, signs and polysomnography test. Total effectiveness rate of the surgery was 83.7%. Subgroup analysis was also performed based on the severity of their conditions: mild, moderate, and severe groups had an effectiveness rate of 90.0, 88.9, and 66.7%, respectively (Hc=6.665, P<0.05). Postoperatively, the apnea-hypopnea index, the minimum oxygen saturation (SaO2), and corresponding symptoms improved compared to pre-operation conditions (P<0.05). Minimally invasive tonsil surgery was a safe and effective method for treating OSAHS in children.