Trans-oral robotic surgery versus coblation tongue base reduction for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Radiofrequency coblation assisted transoral excision of lingual thyroglossal duct cyst

Radiofrequency coblation (RFC) is a relatively new device that has been used in several transoral procedures. Currently, clinical data on its use for excising lingual thyroglossal duct cyst (LTGDC) are lacking. Herein, we conducted this retrospective case series to explore the feasibility and efficacy of RFC-assisted transoral surgery (RFC-TOS) in excising LTGDC. A total of 12 LTGDC patients between 2013 and 2020 were retrospectively studied. The cysts of these patients were all fully removed along the boundary to the depth of the hyoid using RFC wands. All surgeries were completed within 30 minutes. Only one patient had an intraoperative blood loss of more than 10 ml. All patients started oral feeding on the day of operation. The mean postoperative hospital stay was only 3.3 days (range 1-8 days). No surgical-related short-term and long-term complications were observed. One patient was lost to follow up, and no recurrences occurred during a mean follow-up period of 52.7 months among the other 11 patients. Therefore, we believe that RFC is a reliable tool in transoral operation for treating LTGDC. LTGDC patients who underwent RFC-TOS showed quick recovery, low risks of complications, and excellent clinical and functional outcomes.

Correlation between Polysomnographic Parameters and Tridimensional Changes in the Upper Airway of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients Treated with Mandibular Advancement Devices

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness of mandibular advancement devices has been solidly demonstrated in the past. They are considered a valid alternative treatment to continuous positive airway pressure for patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Nevertheless, the relationship between polysomnographic parameters and the increase in the volume of the upper airway in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome has not been clearly established so far. This study aimed to determine the impact of these oral appliances upon the volume of the airway after the device titration phase and correlate it with the degree of mandibular advancement and the improvement of polysomnographic parameters.

METHODS

All patients were diagnosed by polysomnography and were treated with a customized, titratable mandibular advancement device. Three-dimensional volumetric measurements were performed using cone beam computed tomography.

RESULTS

The present study included 45 patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (mild in 23 patients, moderate in 11 and severe in 11). Forty-four percent of the patients presented with an apnea hypopnea index <5/h at the end of treatment. The volume of the upper airway increased an average of 4.3 ± 5.9 cm3, this represents a percentage increase of 20.9%, which was significantly correlated with an apnea hypopnea index and a minimum oxygen saturation improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

The mandibular advancement device used was found to be effective in improving polysomnographic parameters. Moreover, the oral appliance was able to significantly increase the tridimensional dimensions of the upper airway. Moreover, this finding was correlated with a reduction in the apnea hypopnea index (p = 0.007) and an increase on minimum oxygen saturation (p = 0.033).

Combined Transoral Robotic Tongue Base Surgery and Palate Surgery in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: Modified Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty versus Barbed Reposition Pharyngoplasty

Background: Successful surgery outcomes are limited to moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome. Multilevel collapse at retropalatal and retroglossal areas is often found during the drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE). Therefore, multilevel surgery is considered for these patients. The aim of our study was to survey surgical outcomes by modified uvulopalatoplasty (UPPP) plus transoral robotic surgery tongue base reduction (TORSTBR) versus barbed repositioning pharyngoplasty (BRP) plus TORSTBR. Methods: The retrospective cohort study was performed at a tertiary referral center. We collected moderate to severe OSA patients who were not tolerant to positive pressure assistant PAP from September 2016 to September 2019; pre-operative–operative Muller tests all showed retropalatal and retroglossal collapse; pre-operative Friedman Tongue Position (FTP) > III, with the tonsils grade at grade II minimum, with simultaneous velum (V > 1) and tongue base (T > 1), collapsed by drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) under the VOTE grading system. The UPPP plus TORSTBR (n = 31) and BRP plus TORSTBR (n = 31) techniques were offered. We compare the outcomes using an Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) questionnaire, and measure the patients’ apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), lowest O₂ saturation, cumulative time spent below 90% (CT90), and arousal index (AI) by polysomnography six months after surgery; we also measure their length of hospital stay and complications between these two groups. Results: Comparing BRP plus TORSTBR with UPPP plus TORSTBR, the surgical success rate is 67.74% and 38.71%, respectively. The significantly higher surgical success rate in the BRP plus TORSTBR group was noted. The surgical time is shorter in the BRP plus TORSTBR group. The complication rate is not significant in pain, bleeding, dysgeusia, dysphagia, globus sensation, and prolonged suture stay, even though the BRP plus TORSTBR rendered a higher percentage of globus sensation during swallowing and a more prevalent requirement of suture removal one month after surgery. The length of hospital stay is not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, BRP plus TORSTBR is a considerable therapy for moderate to severe OSA patients with DISE showing a multi-level collapse in velum and tongue base area. The BRP technique might offer a better anterior–posterior suspension vector for palate level obstruction.

Surgical, clinical, and functional outcomes of transoral robotic surgery used in sleep surgery for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

We investigated safety and efficacy of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for base of tongue (BOT) reduction in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients. PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus were searched. A meta-analysis was performed. Random effects models were used. Thirty-one cohorts met our criteria (1693 patients). The analysis was based mostly on retrospective studies. The summary estimate of the reduction of Apnea-Hypoxia Index (AHI) was 24.25 abnormal events per hour (95% CI: 21.69-26.81) and reduction of Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was 7.92 (95% CI: 6.50-9.34). The summary estimate of increase in lowest O₂ saturation was 6.04% (95% CI: 3.05-9.03). The success rate of TORS BOT reduction, either alone or combined with other procedures, was 69% (95% CI: 64-79). The majority of studies reported low level of evidence but suggested that TORS BOT reduction may be a safe procedure associated with improvement of AHI, ESS, and lowest O₂ saturation.

Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) Versus Non-TORS Tongue Resection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

OBJECTIVE

To compare transoral robotic surgery (TORS) versus non-TORS tongue resection procedures performed for obstructive sleep apnea from January 2010 to September 2015 using a national database, focusing on patient characteristics, performance of concurrent procedures, operative time, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications.

METHODS

A cohort of adults undergoing TORS and non-TORS tongue resection procedures was identified in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a publicly-available national administrative database incorporating a stratified sample of hospital discharge records. Outcomes were annual case volumes, prolonged (≥3 days) hospital stay, and complications. Statistical analyses examined potential associations between TORS and prolonged hospital stay and complications.

RESULTS

From 2010 to 2015, 5709 hospital discharges included tongue resection surgery to treat obstructive sleep apnea. There was a gradual decline and stabilization in overall volumes, with the proportion of TORS use showing an initial increase, followed by a decrease and rebound increase. TORS patients were less likely to undergo concurrent nasal surgery (15% vs. 44%, P < .01), but there was no association between the use of TORS and concurrent palatal surgery. TORS use was not associated with concurrent hypopharyngeal surgery overall, but it was associated with specific types of hypopharyngeal surgery. TORS use was associated with patient age, payor, and certain hospital characteristics. TORS use was associated with an increased risk of prolonged hospital stay (33% vs. 25%, P = .045) but was not associated with complications.

CONCLUSION

This study provides insight into TORS use in tongue resection surgery for obstructive sleep apnea during this period of early TORS adoption.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3 (cohort study). Laryngoscope, 131:E1735-E1740, 2021.

Robot-assisted epiglottopexy as a method for managing adult obstructive sleep apnea

INTRODUCTION

Patients who do not tolerate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often seek surgical management. A variety of procedures exist to address the nasal passages, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx. Diagnostic studies including drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) are helpful in identifying areas of obstruction. One potential site of obstruction is at the level of the epiglottis. We describe the use of robotic technology to assist with epiglottopexy to manage epiglottic retroflexion as a cause of two patients' OSA. This is the first reported robot-assisted epiglottopexy in the adult otolaryngology literature.

METHODS

This is a case series of two patients with OSA who demonstrated epiglottis collapse into the airway during DISE. They were evaluated by polysomnographic testing (PSG), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and physical exam. Given their epiglottic collapse seen on DISE, they underwent robot-assisted epiglottopexy.

RESULTS

Both patients had moderate to severe OSA preoperatively. They successfully underwent robot-assisted epiglottopexy as a surgical intervention. They tolerated the procedure, and there have been no complications. Each reported improved symptoms, with patient one showing a decrease in total AHI and a substantial decrease in oxygen desaturations at night. The second patient reported a significant decrease in AHI and ESS.

CONCLUSION

There are many options for surgical intervention in patients with OSA. Epiglottopexy is one method for addressing collapse of the epiglottis and can be achieved successfully through robot-assisted epiglottopexy in adult patients with OSA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Comparison of transoral robotic surgery with other surgeries for obstructive sleep apnea

This study compared the characteristic surgical parameters and clinical effects of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and other available methods used to alleviate obstructive sleep apnea. Articles on TORS and other surgeries for obstructive sleep apnea were identified in the PubMed and EMBASE databases. Two investigators independently reviewed the articles and classified the data for meta-analysis. The pooled effect sizes of TORS (standardized mean difference; SMD = − 2.38), coblation tongue base resection (CTBR; SMD = − 2.00) and upper airway stimulation (UAS; SMD = − 0.94) revealed significant improvement in the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI; p < 0.05). The lowest O₂ saturation reported was significantly increased following TORS (SMD = 1.43), CTBR (SMD = 0.86) and UAS (SMD = 1.24, p < 0.05). Furthermore, TORS (SMD = − 2.91) and CTBR (SMD = − 1.51, p < 0.05) significantly reduced the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score. No significant difference in operation time, success rate, or instances of complication were observed between TORS and the other compared interventions. The use of TORS in obstructive sleep apnea has the same rate of success and failure as other methods of surgical intervention for obstructive sleep apnea with no statistical difference in operation times. The reported clinical effects on the AHI, lowest O₂ saturation, and ESS scores of TORS were similar to those of other surgeries.

Use of the transoral robotic surgery to treat patients with recurrent lingual tonsillitis

BACKGROUND

This study evaluates the efficacy of lingual tonsil resection by transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in a large group of patients with recurrent lingual tonsillitis (RLT).

METHODS

Eighty-four patients with RLT treated with a lingual tonsil surgical resection using TORS were analyzed in terms of their postoperative results, disease recurrence, postoperative dysphagia, and quality of life.

RESULTS

A reduction of the mean number/year of acute lingual tonsillitis (LT) episodes emerged after surgery (5.17 vs 0.54 events), comparing the mean number of preoperative and postoperative LT episodes, a statistical significance emerged (P = .0001). The postoperative endoscopic evaluation showed 94.1% of patients with absent or poor lymphatic tissue on the tongue base. Evaluation of postoperative dysphagia showed good results with an average score of 85.9 ± 7.5.

CONCLUSION

This article explains how in patients with chronic LT with medical therapy failure and impaired quality of life, TORS could represent a valid therapeutic option.