The effect of radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction of soft palate on voice

International Consensus Statement on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

BACKGROUND

Evaluation and interpretation of the literature on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) allows for consolidation and determination of the key factors important for clinical management of the adult OSA patient. Toward this goal, an international collaborative of multidisciplinary experts in sleep apnea evaluation and treatment have produced the International Consensus statement on Obstructive Sleep Apnea (ICS:OSA).

METHODS

Using previously defined methodology, focal topics in OSA were assigned as literature review (LR), evidence-based review (EBR), or evidence-based review with recommendations (EBR-R) formats. Each topic incorporated the available and relevant evidence which was summarized and graded on study quality. Each topic and section underwent iterative review and the ICS:OSA was created and reviewed by all authors for consensus.

RESULTS

The ICS:OSA addresses OSA syndrome definitions, pathophysiology, epidemiology, risk factors for disease, screening methods, diagnostic testing types, multiple treatment modalities, and effects of OSA treatment on multiple OSA-associated comorbidities. Specific focus on outcomes with positive airway pressure (PAP) and surgical treatments were evaluated.

CONCLUSION

This review of the literature consolidates the available knowledge and identifies the limitations of the current evidence on OSA. This effort aims to create a resource for OSA evidence-based practice and identify future research needs. Knowledge gaps and research opportunities include improving the metrics of OSA disease, determining the optimal OSA screening paradigms, developing strategies for PAP adherence and longitudinal care, enhancing selection of PAP alternatives and surgery, understanding health risk outcomes, and translating evidence into individualized approaches to therapy.

Voice outcomes for patients undergoing surgery for obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of the different surgical techniques used in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on the postoperative voice and nasalance, and to conduct a meta-analysis through the assessment of postoperative changes.

METHODS

Systematic literature review and meta-analysis of published data using the data sources, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Cochrane, and SAGE. All studies published in English specifying any upper airway surgery for treatment of snoring and/or OSA were included, provided they indicated the pre- and postoperative mean ± standard deviation (SD) values for voice parameters and nasality. The primary outcomes were the changes in preoperative-postoperative mean values of fundamental frequency (mF0), jitter, shimmer, and nasalance scores.

RESULTS

After removal of duplications, 214 studies were potentially relevant, and 25 studies ultimately met the criteria for inclusion in the present review. Of the 25 studies evaluated in this review, 12 studies with 379 patients were available for the meta-analysis calculations. In general, a fixed-effects model was used to analyze the data in the subgroups. The meta-analysis results showed no significant differences in either subgroup analysis between the preoperative and postoperative assessments of mF0, jitter, shimmer, oral nasalance, nasal nasalance, and oronasal nasalance (All had values of p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results of this meta-analysis indicated no significant effect of surgical treatments for snoring or OSA on glottic functioning and nasalance parameters, regardless of surgery type. Further prospective studies are needed to assess more parameters for detailed acoustic analyses.

Surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: standard and emerging techniques

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), as well as their physicians, seek alternative therapies to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) due to problems with CPAP adherence. A large variety of surgical options exist, and each intervention must be individually evaluated. The author performed a literature search concerning surgery for sleep apnea until May 2010. The studies were evaluated according to evidence-based medicine criteria.

RECENT FINDINGS

An increasing number of controlled and even randomized controlled trials are available. Minimally invasive surgery remains under debate due to the very limited efficacy versus very low morbidity. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is still the standard procedure for many patients with moderate OSA, whereas maxillomandibular advancement is as effective as CPAP in severe OSA. Multilevel surgery is reserved to secondary treatment after CPAP failure. Tonsillectomy and maxillomandibular advancement may be offered as a first-line treatment in certain patients. There is increasing evidence that upper airway surgery has a positive impact on arterial hypertension, markers of cardiovascular disease, insomnia, daytime symptoms, quality of life, and CPAP adherence.

SUMMARY

Patients who are nonadherent to CPAP must be thoroughly evaluated before choosing any of the available surgical options. Upper airway surgery may improve disease markers of OSA, if appropriately chosen and properly indicated and performed.

Effects of soft palate implants on acoustic characteristics of voice and articulation

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of soft palate implants on voice and articulation.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective case series.

METHODS

Male subjects (n=23) diagnosed with mild obstructive sleep apnea and/or habitual snoring underwent acoustic analysis with the Multidimensional Voice Program (Kay Multi-Speech Model 3700 Advanced Version; Kay Elemetrics [KayPentax], Lincoln Park, NJ) before and 8 weeks after insertion of palatal implants to determine the effects of soft palate implants on voice and articulation. Sustained vowels (/a/e/u/o/i/) and phonetically balanced carrier sentences were used for acoustic analyses. Parameters measured were fundamental frequency (F0), jitter, shimmer, noise-to-harmonics ratio, Voice Turbulence Index, Soft Phonation Index, degree of voiceless, degree of voice breaks and peak amplitude variation, first formant (F1) and second formant (F2) frequencies, and voice onset time (VOT). F1 and F2 for each vowel were determined using linear predictive analysis on a spectrogram. VOT was measured for the palatal consonant /k/ and the dental consonant /t/ on a wideband spectrogram from a carrier sentence segment that contained a syllable with a stop consonant.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference was detected in F0, F1, F2, or other MDVP parameters before and after implantation. Average VOT values measured for /t/ were not significantly different. On the other hand, average VOT values of /k/ were found to be significantly shorter.

CONCLUSIONS

Implant insertion had no significant effect on MDVP parameters, F0, F1, or F2. On the other hand, articulation as a function of velar region seemed to be affected because VOT values of velar /k/ were changed.

Effects of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with Harmonic Scalpel on speech and voice

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in acoustic features of speech and voice after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) with the Harmonic Scalpel (HS), using the multidimensional voice program (MDVP) in conjunction with other tests. Before and 6 months after surgery, phonetically balanced sentences and sustained vowels a, e, i were carried out and digitalized with MDVP in all the patients, as an evaluation of nasal resonance (trough the Glatzel and the Gutzmann tests), speech articulation and voice handicap index (VHI). These parameters were estimated: average of fundamental frequency, Jitter, Shimmer, noise-to-harmonics ratio, voice turbulence index, soft phonation index, degree of voiceless, degree of voice breaks and peak amplitude variation. Six months after surgery, improvements in all the acoustic parameters, in nasalance and VHI were achieved. In our experiences UPPP, with the HS, improves speech and voice in patients affected by snoring and/or obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.