Maxillomandibular advancement for persistent obstructive sleep apnea after phase I surgery in patients without maxillomandibular deficiency

The efficacy of multilevel surgery of the upper airway in adults with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Many patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) are incapable of using continuous positive airway pressure. These patients therefore turn to surgical options as a salvage treatment. Early studies and reviews focused on the efficacy of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, a single-level procedure for the treatment of OSAHS. Since OSAHS is usually caused by multilevel obstructions, the true focus on efficacy should be on multilevel surgical intervention. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the literature on multilevel surgery for OSAHS patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis focusing on subjective and objective outcomes of patients with OSAHS treated with multilevel surgery of the upper airway.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, the Cochrane database, and MEDLINE bibliographic databases up to March 31, 2007, for studies dealing with multilevel surgical modification of the upper airway for the treatment of OSAHS. Additional studies were identified from their reference lists. Articles were included only if the surgical intervention involved at least two of the frequently involved anatomic sites: nose, oropharynx, and hypopharynx.

RESULTS

After applying specific inclusion criteria, 49 multilevel surgery articles (58 groups) were identified. There were 1,978 patients included in the study. The mean minimal follow-up time was 7.3 months (range, 1 to 100 months). A meta-analysis was performed to redefine the success rate to be consistent with the commonly agreed upon criteria, namely "a reduction in the apnea/ hypopnea index (AHI) of 50% or more and an AHI of less than 20." "Success" implies an improved condition and is not meant to imply cure. The recalculated success rate was 66.4%. The overall complication rate was 14.6%. The evidence-base medicine (EBM) level of these 49 studies revealed that only one study was EBM level 1, two papers were EBM level 3, and the other 46 papers were ranked as level 4 evidence.

CONCLUSIONS

Multilevel surgery for OSAHS is obviously associated with improved outcomes, although this benefit is supported largely by level 4 evidence. Future research should focus on prospective and controlled studies.

Combined open rhinoplasty with spreader grafts and laser-assisted uvuloplasty for sleep-disordered breathing: long-term subjective outcomes

PURPOSE

To subjectively assess the long-term outcomes of combined functional open rhinoplasty with spreader grafts and laser-assisted uvuloplasty (LAUP) for polysomnogram (PSG)-confirmed sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).

METHODS

Postoperative Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaires were given to 30 patients and compared with preoperative ESS. Patients were also asked questions concerning postoperative improvement in upper airway breathing, nasal appearance, and snoring. Statistical analysis used 2-tailed parametric and nonparametric tests.

RESULTS

Thirty patients (average age 55 years) with an average (+/- standard deviation) preoperative apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 37 +/- 27 and mean follow-up times of 21 months were evaluated. A statistically significant 50% (P < .001) postoperative decrease in average ESS was observed. Patients with severe (AHI > 30) and very severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (AHI > 60) also had statistically significant (61% and 66%, respectively, P < .001) postoperative decreases in average ESS. In all patients, subjective upper airway breathing was statistically improved (P < .008), graded as significantly in 47% and moderately in 33% of patients. According to the patient's bed partner, snoring was improved and/or decreased in 76% of patients (P = .008). All patients were satisfied with the postoperative cosmetic appearance of their nose (P < .0001). Finally, 90% of patients stated that they would have the procedure again (P = .009) and 90% stated that they would recommend the procedure to a friend or relative with the same condition (P = .009).

CONCLUSION

Subjective assessment at long-term follow-up for combined open rhinoplasty with spreader grafts and LAUP for PSG-confirmed SDB produced a statistically significant decrease in excessive daytime sleepiness, even in patients with very high AHI, with high patient satisfaction.

Bipolar radiofrequency induced thermotherapy of the tongue base: Its complications, acceptance and effectiveness under local anesthesia

We assessed adverse events and complications of bipolar radiofrequency induced thermotherapy of the tongue base (RFTB) in patients with socially unacceptable snoring (SUS) or obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and determine its acceptance and effectiveness when conducted under local anesthesia. This investigation consisted of (1) a prospective, open-enrollment study of 24 consecutive patients with snoring and OSAS at the tongue base level only (Fujita III), assessed by sleep endoscopy. Polysomnography, questionnaires, and visual analog scales (VAS) were used to assess outcome. (2) In addition, a retrospective review of 83 patients, who underwent RFTB (in 59 cases as part of a multilevel treatment), was performed to evaluate adverse events and complications. Twenty-two of the 24 patients completed postoperative questionnaires and VAS, and ten patients had postoperative polysomnography. Reduction in snoring (P = 0.0003), hypersomnolence (P = 0.002), and globus (P = 0.031) was significant. A positive trend in AHI (P = 0.001, n = 3) is shown in patients with moderate to severe OSAS. Concerning postoperative adverse events and complications, only two patients had a mild and transient tongue deviation directly after the procedure, which resolved within an hour postoperatively (adverse event rate 1.8%). No postoperative complications such as infections, abscesses, hematomas, or ulcerations of the tongue base occurred. This study demonstrates that bipolar RFTB in patients with obstruction at the tongue base only (Fujita type III) as visualized by sleep endoscopy is a safe and simple procedure under local anesthesia and can be effective in patients with SUS. No complications during this study were observed. Its effect on OSAS has been shown by other authors, although long-term effects are not stable. The RFTB can be considered as first choice treatment in case of snoring and mild OSAS in Fujita type III obstruction. In the case of moderate to severe sleep apnea, RFTB can be considered as an additional treatment.

Effectiveness of multilevel (tongue and palate) radiofrequency tissue ablation for patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective is to determine the effectiveness of multilevel (tongue base and palate) temperature controlled radiofrequency tissue ablation (TCRFTA) for patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The secondary objective is to compare multilevel TCRFTA to nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The study is a controlled case series of one investigator's experience with multilevel TCRFTA for patients with OSAS. Twenty-two subjects with mild to severe OSAS, without tonsil hypertrophy, completed multilevel TCRFTA (mean 4.8 tongue base and 1.8 palate treatment sessions) and had both pre- and posttreatment polysomnography. Primary outcomes included change from baseline in apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), daytime somnolence, and reaction time testing measured 2 to 3 months after TCRFTA. Secondary outcomes included change in other respiratory parameters, OSAS related quality of life, and upper airway size. Comparison of 18 patients treated with TCRFTA for mild to moderate OSAS (AHI > 5 and < or = 40) is made with 11 matched patients treated with nasal CPAP for mild to moderate OSAS.

RESULTS

Multilevel TCRFTA significantly improved AHI (P = .001), apnea index (P = .02), as well as respiratory and total arousal indices (P = .0002 and P = .01). Significant improvement with moderate or large treatment effect sizes were noted for OSAS related quality of life (P = .01) and daytime somnolence (P = .0001), with a trend toward significant improvement in reaction time testing (P = .06), with mean posttreatment normalization of all three outcome measures. Fifty-nine percent of subjects demonstrated at least a 50% reduction in AHI to less than 20. The targeted upper airway, measured in the supine position, demonstrated a trend toward significant improvement in mean cross sectional area (P = .05) and volume (P = .10). Side effects of TCRFTA were infrequent, mild, and self-limited. No significant correlation between pretreatment parameters and outcome improvement was noted. Nasal CPAP resulted in significant improvement in AHI (P = .0004) to near normal levels, with an associated improvement in OSAS related quality of life (P = .02) and a trend toward significant improvement in daytime somnolence (P = .06). Reaction time testing demonstrated no significant improvement (P = .75). No significant differences were seen for change in AHI, OSAS related quality of life, daytime somnolence, or reaction time testing between multilevel TCRFTA and CPAP.

CONCLUSION

Multilevel (tongue base and palate) TCRFTA is a low-morbidity, office-based procedure performed with local anesthesia and is an effective treatment option for patients with OSAS. On average, abnormalities in daytime somnolence, quality of life, and reaction time testing demonstrated improvement from baseline and were normalized after treatment. Polysomnographic respiratory parameters also demonstrated significant improvement with multilevel TCRFTA.

The surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a highly prevalent disorder that significantly increases mortality when it is moderate to severe. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) provides excellent relief to sleep apnea in the majority of patients. Unfortunately, many patients cannot tolerate CPAP and seek surgical alternatives. The reported surgical success rates range between 25 and 100% with most studies achieving a 50-70% success rate. The severity of the sleep apnea, as well as the patient's physical features influence the surgical success rate. Patients with mild sleep apnea should be treated if systematic. Treatment should be encouraged for patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea because of the decrease in life expectancy and other associated morbidities. Current surgical procedures include uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, genioglossus advancement, radiofrequency ablation to the base of tongue, tongue suspension, maxillomandibular advancement, and tracheostomy.

Modified maxillomandibular advancement for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: a preliminary report

OBJECTIVE

A prospective study to evaluate the modified maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) technique for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

METHODS

Eleven patients underwent modified MMA for the treatment of OSA. All the patients underwent presurgical and postsurgical polysomnography, nasolaryngoscopy, and clinical facial photographic assessment. The results were analyzed after a minimum of 6 months postsurgery (mean, 7.7 months).

RESULTS

The preoperative polysomnography results were as follows: apnea index, 55.7 +/- 19.8; apnea-hypopnea index, 70.7 +/- 15.9; lowest oxygen saturation, 58.6 +/- 12.3%; longest apnea/hypopnea, 67.9 +/- 23.7 seconds; and arousal index, 47.1 +/- 18.2. The postoperative polysomnography results were as follows: apnea index, 3.4 +/- 3.4; apnea/hypopnea index, 11.4 +/- 7.4; lowest oxygen saturation, 83.9 +/- 8.8%; longest apnea/hypopnea, 38.2 +/- 24.6 seconds; and arousal index, 15.1 +/- 7.3. The mean postoperative body mass index (BMI) was 27.2 +/- 3.3. The mean BMI change after surgery was 6.5%.

CONCLUSION

The preliminary review has demonstrated that the modified MMA technique for the treatment of OSA is highly effective in the treatment of severe OSA without the significant facial profile change commonly associated with the traditional MMA technique.

Obstructive sleep apnea and maxillomandibular advancement: an assessment of airway changes using radiographic and nasopharyngoscopic examinations

PURPOSE

The study aim was to evaluate the resultant changes in the upper airway after maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) for obstructive sleep apnea.

METHODS

Twelve patients were evaluated before and after MMA using fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy (NPG) with Müller maneuver. An inspiratory force meter was used to ensure the consistency of the inspiratory efforts between the 2 examinations. Preoperative and postoperative lateral cephalometric radiographs were also compared.

RESULTS

Decrease in the airway obstruction was shown by the lateral cephalometric radiograph as well as by fiberoptic NPG during passive respiration. Fiberoptic NPG with Müller maneuver also revealed a decrease in airway collapsibility. Although the retrodisplacement of the tongue base was improved, the improvement in lateral pharyngeal wall stability was the most striking.

CONCLUSIONS

MMA achieved expansion of the upper airway. In addition, MMA decreased the collapsibility of the airway, especially the lateral pharyngeal walls. These findings may explain the highly successful outcomes of MMA for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, maxillomandibular advancement, and the velopharynx

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the presence of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) symptoms and the associated changes of the velopharyngeal anatomy in patients who underwent maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) for persistent obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP).

METHODS

Preoperative and postoperative cephalometric radiographs were analyzed to assess the anatomic changes of the velopharynx. In addition, a questionnaire survey was sent to the patients between 6 to 12 months after MMA. The questionnaires evaluated the presence and extent of VPI symptoms, including nasal regurgitation while eating or drinking as well as hypernasal speech. A 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS 0-10) was included to assess the impact of VPI symptoms on the patient's quality of life. In the patients who reported VPI symptoms, telephone interviews were conducted 1 year after the survey to evaluate the changes in VPI symptoms over time.

RESULTS

Fifty-two of the 65 questionnaires were returned. Five patients (9.6%) reported nasal regurgitation of liquids when drinking hastily, with 2 patients reporting the occurrences as occasional and 3 patients reporting as rare. The impact of these symptoms on the patient's quality of life was minimal (VAS 0.6 +/- 0.4). Regurgitation of food or hypernasal speech was not reported. The telephone interviews 1 year later revealed that the symptoms have completely resolved in all 5 patients. Comparison of the preoperative and postoperative cephalometric radiographs demonstrated the pharyngeal depth increase was 48% of the amount of maxillary advancement and the functional pharyngeal length increased 53% of the maxillary advancement. The functional depth of the pharynx after MMA was significantly greater in the patients with VPI symptoms (P=.01).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that patients who undergo MMA for persistent OSA after UPPP have a low risk of developing VPI. If symptoms occur postoperatively, they are mild and have minimal effect on the patient's quality of life; moreover, the symptoms usually resolve over time.