重度阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征的联合手术治疗

目的探讨悬雍垂腭咽成形术(uvu lopalatopharyngop lasty,UPPP)联合颏舌肌前移舌骨悬吊术(gen ioglossus advancem ent hyoid mytomy,GAHM)在治疗重度阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrom e,OSAHS)患者的应用及疗效影响因素。方法18例经多道睡眠监测(polysomnography,PSG)确诊为重度OSAHS的患者呼吸暂停低通气指数(apnea hypopneaindex,AH I)>40次/h,并经电子鼻咽喉镜检查结合Müller试验、头影测量分析及上气道CT检查确定为存在腭咽及舌咽平面阻塞。所有患者于术前先行经鼻持续正压通气治疗(nasal continuous positiveairway pressure,nCPAP)治疗5~7 d,然后同期行UPPP联合GAHM手术,术后至少6个月复查并分析影响疗效的可能因素。结果18例术后随访6~24个月,手术前后除体重指数外各相关测量值的变化均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。平均(x-±s,以下同)呼吸暂停低通气指数(apnea hypopnea index,AH I)从(63.8±16.3)次/h下降到(23.6±19.5)次/h,平均最低血氧饱和度从0.72±0.07上升至0.81±0.13。按杭州会议标准,治愈1例,显效11例,有效3例,无效3例,总有效率83%;按AH I<20次/h且下降>50%计,成功率67%。获得手术成功的患者的平均年龄(39.1±7.4)岁、后气道间隙(8.3±0.9)mm,血氧饱和度低于0.90的时间占总睡眠时间百分比(CT90)为(18.5±10.9)%;失败患者以上数据分别为(52.5±9.4)岁、(6.8±1.3)mm、(37.7±23.6)%;经比较两者差异具有统计学意义。结论UPPP联合GAHM是目前治疗腭咽及舌咽平面阻塞的重度OSAHS患者的一种手术方案,年龄、后气道间隙及CT90是影响其疗效的可能因素。     

同期悬雍垂腭咽成形术联合颏前移舌骨悬吊术治疗重度阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征

目的:探讨同期悬雍垂腭咽成形术(UPPP)联合颏前移舌骨悬吊术(GAHM)治疗重度阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)的疗效。方法:18例重度OSAHS患者,经电子鼻咽喉镜检查结合M櫣ller试验、头影测量分析及上气道CT检查确定存在腭咽及舌咽平面阻塞。均于术前先行经鼻持续正压通气治疗5～7d,然后同期行UPPP联合GAHM手术。采用Wilcoxon符号秩和检验分析手术前后各相关参数的变化。结果:术后随访6～24个月,除体质指数外,手术前后各相关测量值的变化均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。呼吸紊乱指数从63.83±16.34下降到21.43±20.34,LSaO2从(72.44±7.07)%上升至(81.33±13.32)%。按杭州会议标准,治愈1例,显效11例,有效3例,无效3例,总有效率为83.33%。未发生下前牙根尖损伤及下颌骨骨折等严重并发症。结论:UPPP联合GAHM是目前治疗腭咽及舌咽平面阻塞的重度OSAHS患者的一种有效的手术方案。     

Multi-level surgery for obstructive sleep apnea. Preliminary objective results

BACKGROUND: Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) ventilation is the gold standard in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Unfortunately nCPAP does not exceed long-term compliance rates of much more than 60 percent. Therefore, surgical strategies are of growing interest in this field. Today, so called multi-level surgeries are favored which combine at least one surgical procedure on both the velopharyngeal and the retrolingual section of the upper airway. The Mannheim concept combines at least one surgical procedure to the soft palate (UPPP or Uvulaflap) inclusive tonsillectomy and a hyoid suspension and/or a radiofrequency procedure on the base of tongue. METHODS: In between July 2000 and February 2003, 139 patients with OSA were included in the protocol. By now 46 patients finished the follow-up. Mean age was 51.9 years, the mean body mass index was 28.5 kg m (- 2). All patients underwent as well preoperatively as postoperatively a fully attended polysomnography in the sleep lab using standard criteria. Daytime sleepiness was assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). RESULTS: Before surgery the mean apnea-hypopnea-index (AHI) was 36.5 +/- 22.2, the mean ESS score was 10.4. Postoperatively the mean AHI decreased to 24.9 +/- 21.6 (p < 0.01) and the mean ESS score to 7.1 (p < 0.05). After surgery 39.1 % of the subjects were regarded as cured (reduction of AHI > or = 50 % and below 15). Another 30.4 % were substantially improved (reduction of AHI > 20 %). Altogether 69.6 % of the patients were counted as responders. Cure rates decreased with increasing AHI and BMI. The hyoid suspension showed a positive effect on the treatment success. CONCLUSIONS: The presented concept shows inferior success rates than other more invasive concepts. This might be due to the abandonment of the mandibular osteotomy with genioglossus advancement.     

Tongue-base suspension in conjunction with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for treatment of severe obstructive sleep apnea: long-term follow-up results

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate the usefulness of tongue-base suspension (TBS) in addition to uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). STUDY DESIGN: Long-term prospective case series. SETTING: University tertiary care medical center. METHODS: Fifty-five consecutive patients with severe OSAS (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] 52.8+/-14.9 events/hr) with multilevel upper airway obstruction who refused treatment with continuous positive airway pressure underwent UPPP plus TBS with the Repose system. All patients were evaluated before surgery by clinical history, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy with Müller maneuver, and nocturnal polysomnography (PSG). After 3 years of surgery, all patients were re-evaluated at the clinic and had ESS test and full PSG. Surgical success was defined when the ESS dropped bellow 11, and the AHI decreased below the threshold of 20 events per hour of sleep and at least 50% from the preoperative value RESULTS: There were 42 (78%) patients in which the AHI score decreased more than 50%, the AHI was lower than 20 events/hr in the PSG, and the ESS was lower than 11 after 3-years of follow-up (surgical success index). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that body mass index at baseline was the only variable with significant statistical power to predict surgical success (odds ratio 0.85; 0.73-0.95, 95% confidence interval, P<.01) CONCLUSION: When associated with UPPP, the TBS technique performed with the Repose system demonstrates a surgical success of up to 78% for patients with severe OSA who refused nasal continuous positive airway pressure.     

颏舌肌前移舌骨悬吊联合悬雍垂腭咽成形术的初步应用

目的 探讨不使用环钻行颏舌肌前移舌骨悬吊术联合悬雍垂腭咽成形术(UPPP)治疗重度阻寒性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)的可行性及疗效.方法 2006年6月至2008年1月26例伴舌根肥厚、舌后间隙狭窄的中重度OSAHS患者接受本研究.按呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)分为中度(12例)和重度(14例)2组;根据Friedman分型,Ⅱ型18例,Ⅲ型8例.电子鼻咽喉镜检查及Muller试验检杳腭咽及舌咽狭窄.先行UPPP,同时一期采用线锯、胸科电锯、耳科电钻等非环钻技术行颏舌肌前移及舌骨悬吊术.结果 手术时间120～180 min,颏舌肌前移手术出血50～100 ml.术中和术后未出现严重并发症.术后1年随访,14例重度OSAHS患者AHI由术前的(42.9±6.6)次/h(x±s,下同)下降至(16.2±5.7)次/h,其中11例患者AHI下降大于等于50%,有效率71.4%.12例中度OSAHS患者AHI由术前的(21.3±4.4)次/h下降至(11.3±5.2)次/h,其中10例患者AHI下降大于等于50%,有效率83.3%.中、重度OSAHS患者术后AHI较术前均明显下降,而中度的有效率明显优于重度患者,差异均有统计学意义(P值均<0.01).结论 不使用环钻也可行颏舌肌前移舌骨悬吊术,联合UPPP治疗伴舌根肥厚、舌后间隙狭窄的中、重度OSAHS,手术创伤小,操作容易,不需要特殊器械,治疗效果好.     

头颅X线测量在阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征诊治中的意义

OBJECTIVES: To study the value of cephalometric analysis in the diagnosis, treatment option and evaluation of prognosis. METHODS: A detailed cephalometric analysis was performed using lateral X-ray films from 50 cases with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and 30 age- and sex-matched controls. RESULTS: Statistical results showed that OSAS patients were different from controls in the following aspects: 1. Their uvula, soft palate and tongue were significantly enlarged. 2. The hyoid bone was displaced inferiorly and posteriorly. 3. The posterior airway space (palatopharyngeal plane) was narrow. 4. The hard palate was elongated. 5. The mandibular body was retropositioned. Fifty unselected consecutive OSAS patients(mean AHI 51.42 +/- 3.96, Medilog SAC 847, Oxford UK) underwent LAUPP using CO2 laser. Twenty-five cases were followed-up for 4-8 months. 10/25 had obtained a reduction in AHI > 50%, 15/25 had AI < 20 times. The success rate was compared with cephalomentric findings. CONCLUSION: Cephalometry has an important diagnostic and predictive value in the clinical investigation of patients suspected of having OSAS.     

Effects of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

We performed uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) in 51 adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). After UPPP, there were statistically significant improvements in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), the lowest value of oxygen saturation during sleep and total time of apnic episodes. 28 patients (54.9%) were good responders who represented more than 50% improvements in their AHI. Poor responders tended to be more severe and older than good responders. After cephalometric analysis, poor responders were revealed to show significantly poor mandibular prognatism and also lower positioned hyoid bone than good responders.     

A Cost-Effective and Rational Surgical Approach to Patients With Snoring,Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome,or Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

The past decade has seen several innovations in the surgical techniques available for treatment of patients with sleep-disordered breathing. Outpatient techniques such as laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) and more aggressive procedures designed to address hypopharyngeal and base of tongue obstruction (genioglossus advancement and hyoid myotomy) have been developed and proven successful. We describe the efficacy of LAUP for snoring (72.7%), upper airway resistance syndrome (81.8%), and mild (mean[±SD] respiratory disturbance index [RDI] = 12 ± 8.1) obstructive sleep apnea (41.7%) in 56 patients who underwent 132 LAUP procedures in a 26-month period. Thirty-two patients with more significant obstructive sleep apnea (mean RDI = 41.8 ± 23.1) underwent multilevel pharyngeal surgery consisting of genioglossus advancement and hyoid myotomy combined with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. The surgical success rate in this group of patients was 85.7% when commonly accepted criteria were applied. We recommend a stratified surgical approach to patients with sleep-disordered breathing. Progressively worse airway obstruction marked by multilevel pharyngeal collapse and more severe sleep-disordered breathing is treated with incrementally more aggressive surgery addressing multiple areas of the upper airway.     

上气道持续压力测定预测悬雍垂腭咽成形术的疗效

目的以上气道-食管持续压力测定定位阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停患者咽腔阻塞部位，评价定位诊断指标预测悬雍垂腭咽成形术疗效的准确性。方法以整夜多道睡眠监测与同步上气道-食管压力持续测定对患者每次咽腔阻塞的部位定位，以腭咽、舌咽、喉咽各平面来源的气道阻塞、塌陷次数占总次数的构成比定量表示各平面参与气道塌陷的作用大小。对27例选择改良悬雍垂腭咽成形术治疗的患者进行随访，术后6个月复查多道睡眠监测。结果以呼吸暂停低通气指数（apneaand hypopnea index，AHI）较术前下降的比例≥50％为显效标准，手术总显效率51．9％。AHI下降比例与腭咽构成比和腭咽阻塞指数正相关（r分别为0．609和0．521），与舌咽构成比负相关（r=-0．479）。术后AHI与腭咽构成比、舌咽构成比和阻塞指数相关（r分别为-0．675、0．542和0．647）。腭咽构成比1〉70％者10例，9例手术显效，腭咽构成比〈60％者10例，无显效者。以腭咽构成比1〉60％作为预测手术显效的标准，预测一致率88．9％（24／27）。综合舌咽阻塞指数，腭咽、舌咽构成比、扁桃体大小及其他多道睡眠监测指标对术后AHI进行多元线性回归分析，r^2=0．632（F=6．701，P=0．001）。结论以上气道-食管持续压力测定各阻塞平面参与气道塌陷的作用大小，可较好地预测腭咽平面气道重建手术的疗效。以腭咽构成比为指标，可获得88．9％的预测一致率。     

Hyoidthyroidpexia as a treatment in multilevel surgery for obstructive sleep apnea

CONCLUSION: This type of surgery is effective in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), but may not be effective in obese patients or those with a preoperative apnea hypopnea index (AHI)>35. For these reasons, the careful study and selection of patients is fundamental in the surgical treatment of OSAS. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the efficacy of hyoid surgery combined with oropharynx and nose surgery in the treatment of OSAS. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 109 OSAS patients underwent hyoidthyroidpexia as a treatment in multilevel surgery. Before surgery all patients were treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for at least 6 months and underwent preoperative and postoperative polysomnography. The preoperative examination was composed of upper airways endoscopy, lateral cephalometric radiograph, calculation of body mass index (BMI), and subjective analysis of daytime sleepiness. RESULTS: In all, 67/109 patients (61.5%) with postoperative AHI<20 were defined as 'responders', while the other 42 patients (38.5%) were defined as 'non-responders'. The correlation between preoperative BMI and postoperative AHI revealed that non-responders had a much higher average BMI compared with responders. Moreover, when analyzing median preoperative and postoperative AHI, it emerged that non-responders had a much higher preoperative AHI compared with responders.     

Resolution of obstructive sleep apnea following facial surgery

Compared to uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), maxillo-facial surgery is rarely performed in Canada for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. However, in patients with retrolingual obstruction, UPPP cannot be expected to result in good surgical outcome. We describe a patient with retrognathia causing airway obstruction at the base of the tongue, in whom sagittal mandibular osteotomy with hyoid bone advancement resulted in resolution of snoring and sleep apnea.     

上气道测压阻塞定位在阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征外科治疗中的应用

目的 通过分析上气道测压阻塞定位指导的中、重度阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)外科随诊疗效,了解上气道测压阻塞定位的临床应用价值.方法 对51例中、重度OSAHS患者应用睡眠呼吸监测阻塞定位仪(ApneaGraph,AG)进行整夜睡眠呼吸监测和同步上气道压力测定.根据阻塞层面,分成2组.腭后区阻塞组:以上部阻塞为主,行腭后区手术;舌后区阻塞组:最低阻塞层面以下部为主,结合纤维喉镜观察阻塞结构,行腭部及不同的舌后区联合手术.以上两组患者,有鼻塞症状的,均同期行鼻部手术.术后6个月再次应用AG随访,评估手术疗效.结果 51例患者中,中度5例,重度46例,其中4例为UPPP失败再手术者.术后随访时间6～24个月,中位数为9个月.Epworth嗜睡评分(ESS)由术前(17.6±4.7)分((-x)±s,下同)降至(4.3±4.3)分(t=15.195,P<0.001),呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)由(52.4±17.5)次/h降至(16.3±18.2)次/h(t=10.873,P<0.001),最低血氧饱和度(LSaO2)由0.706±0.099提高至0.823±0.092(t=-8.396,P<0.001),差异均有统计学意义.总手术成功率(术后AHI<20次/h,且降幅≥50%)为76.5%,其中治愈14例,显效25例,有效6例,无效6例.腭后区阻塞组27例,手术成功率81.5%;舌后区阻塞组24例,成功率75.0%.结论 上气道压力测定法能较准确地判断上气道阻塞平面,与传统检查相结合,制定个体化手术方案,可能提高中重度OSAHS的手术疗效.     

Hyoid suspension surgery with UPPP for the treatment of hypopharyngeal airway obstruction in obstructive sleep apnea

We report our experience with hyoid suspension surgery in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosed on the basis of polysomnographic criteria. We conducted a prospective, observational study of 20 patients-18 males and 2 females, aged 15 to 52 years (mean: 42.1)-who were treated at our tertiary care center. All patients underwent hyoid suspension surgery and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) in a single session. Postoperative success was defined as either (1) a reduction in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) from 20 or higher to less than 20 or (2) a reduction in AHI of at least 50%. Postoperative follow-up polysomnography indicated that surgery was successful in 18 of 20 patients (90%). No important complications were observed. We conclude that hyoid suspension surgery is an effective procedure with low morbidity for the treatment of OSA in selected patients with hypopharyngeal obstruction. We believe it is a good option for those patients who will not or cannot tolerate therapy with continuous positive airway pressure.     

Lateral cephalometric radiography of the upper airways for evaluation of surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

INTRODUCTION: A lateral cephalometric radiograph is frequently performed for diagnostic and pretherapeutic purposes in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). We studied the prognostic value of this exploration in terms of therapeutic outcome in surgically treated patients. MATERIEL AND METHOD: Fifty-five patients underwent surgery from May 1994 through December 1998. Forty-seven had phase I surgery (UPPP, hyothyrohyoidopexy and genioglossal advancement), 18 phase II surgery (bimaxillar advancement) after failure of a phase I procedure and 8 primary phase II surgery. For the "phase I" group: mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.3+/-2.9 kg/m2 and mean age was 47+/-11 years. For the "phase II" group: mean BMI was 25.9+/-3 kg/m2 and mean age was 48+/-9 years. Polysomnography was performed in all patients preoperatively and six months after each surgical procedure. The preoperative apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 45.2+/-26.8/h of sleep for the phase I group and 53.8+/-26.9/h for the phase II group. All the patients had a lateral cephalometric radiograph, preoperatively, postoperatively, and at 6 months. The following parameters were measured on each radiograph: posterior airway space (PAS), mandibular plane-hyoid bone distance (MPH), minimal retrolingual space, minimal retrovelar space, surfaces of the rhinopharynx, the oropharynx, the hypopharynx and total upper airway surface. Therapeutic success was defined as a AHI<15/h and 50% decrease compared with the preoperative AHI, associated with normal sleep structure, respiratory microarousal score less than 15/h, normal oxymetry and absence of symptoms. RESULTS: After phase I surgery: the success rate was 21.2%. For the whole group, the total upper airway surface has significatively increased between preoperative and immediate postoperative time, as well the MPH, the PAS and the minimal retrolingual space. But at the late postoperative control, no significative difference compared with the preoperative data has been observed. The comparison between failures and successes has demonstrated that there was no difference in surface or distance benefit between the two groups. But it existed a preoperative difference as the failures have a greater rhinopharynx and a shorter retro velar oropharynx compared with the successes. This difference has been noticed in the immediate postoperative time but not in the late postoperative time. In the "failure" group, the immediate postoperative increase in the upper airway surface, the PAS and the minimal retrolingual space was totally lost in the late postoperative control. In the opposite, in the "success" group, the minimal retro velar space was the only parameter significatively increased at the postoperative time. After phase II surgery: the success rate was 76.9%. All measured parameters except rhinopharynx surface and MPH were increased at last follow-up; part of the increase in the hypopharynx and the minimal retrolingual space observed postoperatively was lost during later follow-up. Nevertheless, in the "failure" group patients, no significant increase could be demonstrated at the last postoperative control. Linear parameters (PAS, minimal retro lingual and retro velar spaces) were smaller in the "successful" group than in the "failure" group. DISCUSSION: It is difficult to ascertain the exact contribution of the lateral cephalometric radiograph to the assessment of surgical outcome. Apparently, and independently of the technique used, part of the gain in the upper airway surface observed immediately after surgery is progressively lost. We were unable to define any parameter on the lateral cephalometric radiograph predictive of success after phase I surgery. Discrimination between success and failure after phase I surgery might be related to the stability of the increase in the minimal retro velar space and the MPH. For phase II surgery, the initial shortness of the upper airway surface is a good prognostic factor for therapeutic success, defined as a stable increase in the oropharynx.     

Treatment of distraction osteogenesis in the patients of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome with micrognathia]

OBJECTIVE: To apply the treatment of distraction osteogenesis(DO) to obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS) patients with croniomaxillofacial deformities. METHODS: All 46 OSAHS patients with micrognathia are had polysomnography(PSG) study and cephalometric analysis. Their age from 4 to 18 years old, the mean age is 11.4. The number of temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis with micrognathia, micrognathia; 1st & 2nd bronchial arch syndrome and crouzon syndrome patients were 32, 9, 2 and 3 respectively. All were treated with DO. Maxilla or mandible was advanced from 5 to 35 micrometers; the mean advanced distance is 18.34 mm. They were all revaluated by PSG and cephalometric analysis postoperatively. RESULTS: All patients have good respond to the treatment. They have a better appearance and the narrow upper airway was enlarged remarkably, their AHI drop from 66.31 +/- 14.74 pre-operately to 3.16 +/- 1.70 pro-operately, and minimal posterior airway space(PAS) from (5.48 +/- 2.76) mm to (9.97 +/- 2.05) mm. There is remarkable difference (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: DO is a good method for the patients of OSAHS with micrognathia.     

Surgical treatment of patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

No standard indications currently exist for surgical treatment of severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). We treated 15 patients with severe OSAS surgically, evaluated surgical indications, and evaluated surgical success. We retrospectively reviewed 15 cases of surgery for OSAS in which polysomnography met 2 or more criteria for the following surgical indications: (1) apnea hypopnea index (AHI) > or = 50, (2) minimum SpO2 below 80%, and (3) enlarged tonsils (grade III, Mackenzie's classification). Among the 15, mean AHI was 85.1. Surgery was done under general anesthesia, with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) in 13 and tonsillectomy alone in 2. Postoperative AHI was measured in 9 patients. According to Nishimura's criteria for assessing surgical success, improvement was "excellent" in 5, "good" in 1, "fair" in 1, and "poor" in 2. When we compared preoperative and postoperative use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in 7, we found that surgery decreased CPAP requirements. Surgical success was assessed in patients requiring CPAP and improvement was "excellent" in 5, "good" in 1, and "fair" in 1. In conclusion, surgical indications for severe OSAS, including the criterion of enlarged tonsils, were useful. Surgery decreased CPAP requirements and the degree of improvement in this requirement and AHI was valuable in assessing surgical success.     

Schnarchen / Schlafapnoe—chirurgisch heilbar ?

INTRODUCTION: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by nocturnal collapsing of the upper airways. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) ventilation is the gold standard in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Long-term compliance rates do not exceed more than 60 to 70%. Alternative multi-level surgeries are of interest, combining procedures at the level of the base of tongue and the soft palate in order to stabilize the airway. Preliminary results suggested the hyoid suspension as one part of the multi-level surgery concept to be of high effectiveness. Therefore this study investigated the outcome of the hyoid suspension and compared it with the CPAP therapy. METHODS: Between March 2001 and February 2003, 66 patients with OSA were treated with a hyoid suspension in combination with surgeries at the base of tongue, the soft palate or the nose (always performed by the same surgeon). All patients underwent a pre- and postoperative polysomnography in the sleep lab. Daytime sleepiness was assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Mean age was 52,1 years, the mean body mass index (BMI) was 28,04 kg/m(2). RESULTS: The mean apnea-hypopnea-index (AHI) was 38,9121,10/h before operation and 19,25+/-19,64/h after operation (p<0,0001). More statistically significant changes were found for the arousal index, the oxygen saturation and the ESS (p<0,05). After surgery 57,6% of the subjects (38/66) were regarded as cured (reduction of AHI > or =50% and below 15/h). Another 21,2% (14/66) improved (reduction of AHI >20%). Altogether 78,8% of the patients were counted as responders. CONCLUSION: Multi-level surgeries based on the hyoid suspension show the effectiveness of this concept. This surgical strategy could be equal to the CPAP mask, especially in cases of CPAP intolerance.     

Results of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty after diagnostic workup with polysomnography and sleep endoscopy: a report of 136 snoring patients

We subjectively and objectively evaluated 136 patients with socially unacceptable snoring (SUS) or obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) treated with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) after a diagnostic workup by sleep registration (polysomnography, PSG) and sleep endoscopy. Of the 136 patients, there were 88 with OSAS and 48 with SUS. The results of the procedure were considered subjectively to be an improvement in 38 (79%) of the SUS patients and in 74 (84%) of the patients with OSAS. In 36 (40%) of the 88 patients with OSAS, repeating PSG postoperatively was considered unnecessary because of obvious improvement. Of the 52 patients with a measurement after UPPP, a decrease in the apnoea hypopnoea index (AHI) was found in 38 (73%; median decrease: 48%), and AHI dropped below 20 in 32 (62%). The apnoea index (AI) was available in 49 (56%) patients and was reduced in 31 (63%; median decrease: 73%). An overall positive result in the 88 patients with OSAS (combining available data on subjective and objective results) was therefore found in 61 (69%; positive subjective result and AHI <15) or 71 (81%; positive subjective result and decrease in AHI), respectively, depending on the definition. We conclude that after diagnostic workup by sleep registration and sleep endoscopy, the success rate of UPPP increases as compared to historical controls.     

Combined surgical and prosthetic therapy of severe obstructive sleep apnea--a case report]

We report on a 41-year old patient who complained of loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness and chronic nasal obstruction. Clinical findings were septal deviation and enlarged turbinates, tonsillar hypertrophy with velar webbing and pharyngeal narrowing. Polysomnography revealed severe obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome with an apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) of 51.7/h. As the patient refused nCPAP therapy, we performed septoplasty with conchotomy and an uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with tonsillectomy. Snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness disappeared completely and the AHI decreased to 31.1/h. The mandibular advancement device Snorban was subsequently fitted. We found a complete resolution of OSAS. The AHI was 4.4/h. The postsurgical polysomnographic results were stable two years after surgery. However, the patient discontinued using the oral device as he did not feel any additional benefit when using it. The combination of UPPP and mandibular advancement device can resolve a severe OSAS.     

One stage multilevel surgery (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty,hyoid suspension,radiofrequent ablation of the tongue base with/without genioglossus advancement), in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

We evaluated the surgical results of a one tempo multilevel surgical approach of the upper airway to treat patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in a prospective case series. Twenty-two patients with OSAS and obstruction at both palatinal and tongue base level, as assessed by sleep endoscopy, underwent UPPP, RFTB, HS with or without GA in one operative session. The mean apnea hypopnea index (AHI) decreased from 48.7 (range 17.4–100.9) to 28.8 (P < 0.0001). The success rate (AHI <20 and >50% reduction in AHI) was 45%, the response rate (reduction in AHI of 20–50%) was 27%. The overall response rate was 72%. The success rates of patients with an AHI <55 and >55 were 56 and 0%, respectively. The overall response rate of patients with an AHI <55 was 78% and >55 was 50%. Improvement of desaturation index was significant from 31.9 to 17.6 (P < 0.0001). Visual analogue scales for snoring and hypersomnolence and the Epworth Sleepiness Scores showed significant improvements too (all P < 0.0001). There was no difference in objective and subjective outcomes between the group with and without GA. This study demonstrates that one stage multilevel surgery, in which genioglossus advancement is not of additional value, is a valuable addition to the therapeutic armentarium and can be considered a viable alternative, objective as well as subjective, to NCPAP or as primary treatment in well selected patients with moderate to severe OSAS with an AHI <55.