Safety of tongue base procedures for sleep apnoea in adults: A systematic review and metanalysis from the YO-IFOS study group

OBJECTIVE

Tongue base and hypopharynx are the major sites of obstruction in OSA patients with failed palatal surgery. In recent years, several minimally invasive procedures have been developed to address tongue base obstruction. However, the research focus has consistently been on the effectiveness of surgery in reducing obstructive sleep apnoea rather than on postoperative complications. In this systematic review and metanalysis we aim to review the complication rate of minimally invasive base of tongue procedures for OSAS in adults.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed (Medline), the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Scopus, SciELO and Trip Database.

REVIEW METHODS

Data sources were checked by three authors of the YO-IFOS sleep apnoea study group. Three authors extracted the data. Main outcome was expressed as the complication rate and 95% confidence interval for each surgical technique.

RESULTS

20 studies (542 patients) met the inclusion criteria. The mean complication rate is 12.79%; 4.65% for minor complications, 6.42% if they are moderate, and 1.77% if severe. The most reported complication overall is infection, in 1.95% of cases, followed by transient swallowing disorder, occurring in 1.30% of the total sample.

CONCLUSION

The heterogeneity amongst the included studies prevents us from obtaining solid conclusions. The available evidence suggests that minimally invasive base of tongue procedures may present a wide spectrum of complication rates, ranging from 4.4% in tongue base radiofrequency to up to 42.42% in tongue base ablation.

Optimizing Mandibular Advancement Maneuvers during Sleep Endoscopy with a Titratable Positioner: DISE-SAM Protocol

Mandibular advancement devices (MAD) are an effective alternative treatment to CPAP. Different maneuvers were performed during drug sleep-induced endoscopy (DISE) to mimic the effect of MAD. Using the Selector Avance Mandibular (SAM) device, we aimed to identify MAD candidates during DISE using a titratable, reproducible, and measurable maneuver. This DISE-SAM protocol may help to find the relationship between the severity of the respiratory disorder and the degree of response and determine the advancement required to improve the collapsibility of the upper airway. Explorations were performed in 161 patients (132 males; 29 females) with a mean age of 46.81 (SD = 11.42) years, BMI of 27.90 (SD = 4.19) kg/m², and a mean AHI of 26.51 (SD = 21.23). The results showed no relationship between severity and MAD recommendation. Furthermore, there was a weak positive relationship between the advancement required to obtain a response and the disease severity. Using the DISE-SAM protocol, the response and the range of mandibular protrusion were assessed, avoiding the interexaminer bias of the jaw thrust maneuver. We suggest prescribing MAD as a single, alternative, or multiple treatment approaches following the SAM recommendations in a personalized design.

Long-term stability of results following surgery for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

PURPOSE

Although upper airway surgery in selected patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been shown to be beneficial, its long-term effects have been questioned. The main objective was to evaluate whether results following surgery remain stable over time, both in objective and subjective terms. As a secondary aim, such stability was also measured in relation with the type of surgery performed.

METHODS

This work constitutes a retrospective study of OSA adult patients subjected to the following surgical procedures: different types of pharyngoplasties, tongue-base surgery, partial epiglottectomy or hyoid suspension. Those who exclusively underwent tonsillectomy or nasal surgery were excluded. Before surgery, a sleep study, and an assessment of the patients' sleepiness and quality of life were performed, which were repeated at 8, 34, and 48 months after surgery. A total of 153 patients was included.

RESULTS

Following surgery, the apnea-hypopnea index decreased from 34.84/h to 14.54/h and did not vary more than one point in subsequent controls (p = 0.01). The oxygen desaturation index changed from 31.02/h to 14.0/h and remained stable in the second (15.34/h) and third (11.43/h) controls (p = 0.01). Parameters measuring sleepiness and well-being demonstrated the maintenance of long-term benefits. New pharyngoplasties were observed to be more stable than classic pharyngoplasties in the long term (p = 0.04). Single-level surgeries were found to be more stable than multilevel surgeries, although a statistically significant difference was not observed (p = 0.07).

CONCLUSION

The benefits obtained remained stable in the long term. In our sample, modern pharyngoplasty techniques showed superiority over the classic ones regarding long-term stability.

The Recumbent Position Affects Nasal Resistance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Nasal diseases are among the main motives for the early discontinuation of continuous positive airway pressure therapy and for long-term therapeutic compliance with mandibular advancement device. Although our clinical experience leads us to the belief that recumbency impacts nasal airflow in some patient populations, there is no consensus regarding the magnitude of this effect and the specific group of patients who are the most affected by this condition. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis to assess the effect of the recumbent position on nasal resistance and nasal airflow.

REVIEW METHODS

PubMed (Medline), Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Scopus, and SciELO databases were checked for relevant studies by two members of the YO-IFOS study group. The two authors extracted the data. The main outcome was expressed as the difference between nasal resistance and nasal airflow before and after recumbency.

RESULTS

Nine studies with a total population of 291 individuals were included in the meta-analysis for nasal resistance after recumbency. We found a statistically significant difference in nasal airway resistance of -0.18 Pa sec/cm³ as compared to before and after recumbency through rhinomanometry (RMM) analysis. A subgroup analysis revealed a variation of -0.20 Pa sec/cm³ for patients with snoring or sleep apnea and - 0.10 Pa sec/cm³ for healthy individuals. Regarding nasal airflow measured with RMM, three studies (n = 32) in asymptomatic controls revealed a statistically significant difference of 47.33 ml/sec.

CONCLUSIONS

Recumbency increases nasal resistance and diminishes nasal airflow. This finding is of utmost importance in snorers and sleep apnea patients. Laryngoscope, 2021.

Feasibility of at-home continuous overnight pulse oximetry for obstructive sleep apnea screening in bariatric surgery candidates

PURPOSE

Screening for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is recommended in patients scheduled for bariatric surgery because continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in patients with moderate-to-severe OSA reduces postoperative complications. However, cardiorespiratory polygraphy (CRP) and polysomnography (PSG) are expensive and time-consuming. The present study aimed to assess whether at-home continuous overnight pulse oximetry can be used to diagnose moderate-to-severe OSA in patients scheduled for bariatric surgery.

METHODS

In this prospective observational study, we enrolled consecutive patients scheduled for bariatric surgery. Patients with no prior OSA diagnosis were evaluated using the ESS, SBQ, and preoperative at-home CRP. Correlations were calculated between AHI and oximetry parameters. For each oximetry parameter, a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated to identify optimal cut-off values for diagnosing moderate-to-severe OSA.

RESULTS

In total, 117 patients were included. The oxygen desaturation index was the most correlated oximetry parameter; the optimal cut-off value for diagnosing moderate-to-severe OSA was 23.9. The sensitivity and specificity were 80 and 92%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve was 0.935.

CONCLUSIONS

At-home continuous overnight pulse oximetry could be used to screen moderate-to-severe OSA in patients scheduled for bariatric surgery because it would allow clinicians to implement early CPAP therapy and avoid preoperative PSG or CRP.

Surgical versus non-surgical treatment in the Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome

INTRODUCTION

The treatment of choice for pediatric OSAHS is surgical. However, its etiopathogenesis is multifactorial and surgery does not always solve it. Therefore, other modalities of treatment are used. The main objective of this study is to shed light on the efficacy of surgery compared to other treatments.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Prospective cohort study with 317 children ages 1-13 years and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥3/h with no previous treatment. The treatment was organised into 3 categories: surgical (n = 201), medical (n = 75) and observation (n = 41). Quality of life and sleep was assessed by two validated questionnaires (PSQ & Esteller et al.) The upper airway was explored, and nocturnal polysomnography (PSG) performed in every patient. After 12 ± 3 months of treatment was completed, a new PSG and questionnaires were evaluated.

RESULTS

The surgical group improved significantly both subjectively and objectively. Mean AHI decreased from 7.95/h to 2.57/h and T 90 (time spent with arterial oxygen saturation <90%) from 0.49 to 0. AHI of the medical group decreased only from 5.09/h to 4.9/h. Subjective parameters improved less than in the surgical group. Persistence after surgery was 31%, 50% following medical treatment, and after observation 75%. There were no differences in age and BMI between groups. Age or obesity showed no relationship with treatment success or failure.

CONCLUSIONS

The best results were achieved in surgically treated children. However, 31% of those operated had OSAHS persistence, which means a combination of treatments may be the most appropriate strategy.

SLEEP-GOAL: A multicenter success criteria outcome study on 302 obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate SLEEP-GOAL as a more holistic and comprehensive success criterion for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) treatment.

METHODS

A prospective 7-country clinical trial of 302 OSA patients, who met the selection criteria, and underwent nose, palate and/or tongue surgery. Pre- and post-operative data were recorded and analysed based on both the Sher criteria (apnoea hypopnea index, AHI reduction 50% and <20) and the SLEEP-GOAL.

RESULTS

There were 229 males and 73 females, mean age of 42.4±17.3 years, mean BMI 27.9±4.2. The mean VAS score improved from 7.7±1.4 to 2.5±1.7 (p<0.05), mean Epworth score (ESS) improved from 12.2±4.6 to 4.9±2.8 (p<0.05), mean body mass index (BMI) decreased from 27.9±4.2 to 26.1±3.7 (p>0.05), gross weight decreased from 81.9±14.3kg to 76.6±13.3kg. The mean AHI decreased 33.4±18.9 to 14.6±11.0 (p<0.05), mean lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT) improved 79.4±9.2% to 86.9±5.9% (p<0.05), and mean duration of oxygen <90% decreased from 32.6±8.9 minutes to 7.3±2.1 minutes (p<0.05). The overall success rate (302 patients) based on the Sher criteria was 66.2%. Crosstabulation of respective major/minor criteria fulfilment, based on fulfilment of two major and two minor or better, the success rate (based on SLEEP-GOAL) was 69.8%. Based solely on the Sher criteria, 63 patients who had significant blood pressure reduction, 29 patients who had BMI reduction and 66 patients who had clinically significant decrease in duration of oxygen <90% would have been misclassified as "failures".

CONCLUSION

AHI as a single parameter is unreliable. Assessing true success outcomes of OSA treatment, requires comprehensive and holistic parameters, reflecting true end-organ injury/function; the SLEEP-GOAL meets these requirements.

Xerostomia in patients with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome: A prospective case-control study

Background

To describe the characteristics of xerostomia (dry mouth) in the population with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) and contrast its prevalence versus that found in healthy subjects, and to compare the frequency of xerostomia in SAHS patients with and without continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment.

Material and Methods

A prospective comparative study was made between adults recently diagnosed with SAHS in a public hospital (n=60) and healthy individuals (n=54). The presence of xerostomia was assessed on waking up and during the day, using a frequency scale from 0 (“never”) to 3 (“always”).

Results

The prevalence of xerostomia on waking up in the SAHS group was 45%, versus 20.4% among the controls. During the rest of the day the prevalence of the symptom decreased in both the SAHS group (21.7%) and among the controls (9.3%). Multiple binary logistic regression analysis found body mass index (BMI) to be correlated to the association SAHS-xerostomia on waking up (p=0.007). Patients with moderate SAHS had a greater frequency of xerostomia than those with mild SAHS (p=0.022). The frequency of xerostomia on waking up was significantly greater in patients using CPAP than in those without such treatment (57.1% versus 16.7%, respectively) (p=0.008).

Conclusions

The frequency of xerostomia was greater in patients with SAHS, particularly on waking up and in those receiving CPAP. The symptom was more prevalent in individuals with moderate to severe SAHS than in those with mild SAHS, and was significantly influenced by BMI.

Key words:Sleep apnea, xerostomia, dry mouth, CPAP, side effects, body mass index, obesity.

Impact of adenotonsillectomy on the evolution of inflammatory markers

BACKGROUND

Tonsils are first-line host defence organs against pathogenic agents and participate in local and systemic immunity. Persistent increases in systemic inflammatory responses may contribute to associated morbidity. The aim of this study was to verify the short- and long-term impact of adenotonsillectomy on the evolution of inflammatory markers in 3- to 9-year-old children.

METHODS

A prospective and longitudinal study was conducted over 1 year in 29 children who underwent tonsillectomy due to either chronic tonsillitis or adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Measurements of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were taken. Levels of Th1-type cytokines [interleukin-1, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] and anti-inflammatory Th2-type cytokines [interleukin-4, -5, -6, -10 and -13] were measured. Levels of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were also determined. The results were compared to those of 29 control children.

RESULTS

At baseline, children with surgery indications presented with higher levels of hs-CRP, interleukin-1 and -10, interferon-γ, TNF-α and ICAM-1, whereas values of interleukin-4 were significantly lower than in control children. Children with severe tonsillar obstruction had higher values of interleukin-1, -4, and -5 and lower values of interleukin-10 compared with children with recurrent tonsillitis. One year after surgery, the levels except IL-4 did not show a significant difference from those obtained in the control group. The levels of hs-CRP and TNF-α decreased significantly in the first month.

CONCLUSION

Children with chronic tonsillitis and/or adenotonsillar hypertrophy have significantly elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Adenotonsillectomy restores the normal values of these parameters 1 year after surgery.

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy: Clinical Application and Surgical Outcomes

The visualization of the level and pattern of apnea and hypopnea events is of pivotal importance in the diagnosis and therapeutic decision-making for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). There are numerous techniques available to assess upper airway obstruction, which include imaging, acoustic analysis, pressure transducer recording, and endoscopic evaluation. Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) is a diagnostic tool that allows the dynamic, three-dimensional evaluation of the patterns of vibration and collapse of the upper airway of SDB patients. DISE may change the initial surgical planning in a high percentage of cases. A universally accepted and methodologically standardized DISE could provide significant insight into its role to improve surgical outcomes. However, up to now the ideal DISE protocol remains an open question.

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy: Technique, Indications, Tips and Pitfalls

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) is a diagnostic tool to assess the upper airway of snorers and obstructive sleep apnea patients in conditions that mimic natural sleep. Although DISE appears simple and similar to awake endoscopy, there are many aspects that need to be standardized in order to obtain reliable and reproducible information. In this article, we will recommend how to reliably perform DISE, its indications, and how to obtain and interpret the information of the upper airway.

Does drug-induced sleep endoscopy affect surgical outcome? A multicenter study of 326 obstructive sleep apnea patients

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Our objective was to determine whether drug-induced sleep apnea (DISE) affects the successfulness of the surgical outcome.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective, seven-country, nonrandomized trial.

METHODS

There were 326 consecutive obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients who had nose, palate, and/or tongue surgery included in the study. DISE was performed in only one group.

RESULTS

There were 170 patients in the DISE group and 156 patients in no-DISE group. The mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) for the DISE group was 27.6 ± 4.6, whereas in the no-DISE group it was 28.1 ± 3.9 (P = .23). The mean preoperative systolic blood pressure (SBP) for the DISE group was 130.4 ± 16.7, whereas in the no-DISE group it was 142.9 ± 15.5 (P < .001). The mean preoperative diastolic blood pressure (DBP) for the DISE group was 81.4 ± 9.7, whereas in the no-DISE group it was 89.1 ± 9.7 (P < .001). The mean preoperative apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) for the DISE group was 32.6 ± 18.8, whereas in the no-DISE group it was 33.7 ± 19.6 (P = .61). The mean postoperative AHI for the DISE group was 15.9 ± 12.6, whereas in the no-DISE group it was 13.2 ± 8.8 (P = .023). The age-, gender-, BMI-adjusted percentage change in AHI for the DISE group was -48.4 ± 31.9, whereas in the no-DISE group it was -59.8 ± 18.6 (P < .001). The age-, gender-, and BMI-adjusted success rate for the DISE group was 66.5%, whereas in the no-DISE group it was 80.8% (P = .004). The age-, gender-, and BMI-adjusted change in SBP for the DISE group was -6.1 ± 8.6, whereas in the no-DISE group it was -13.3 ± 11.1 (P < .001). The age-, gender-, and BMI-adjusted change in DBP in the DISE group was -5.2 ± 12.1, whereas in the no-DISE group it was -12.4 ± 11.7 (P < .001). The mean age- and gender-adjusted change in BMI for the DISE group was -4.6 ± 12.9, whereas in the no-DISE group it was -6.3 ± 18.5 (P = .34). The Cohen effect of BMI on the overall AHI, lowest oxygen saturation, and blood pressure changes was 0.08.

CONCLUSIONS

DISE may not significantly affect surgical success in OSA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2c Laryngoscope, 130:551-555, 2020.

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy and Surgical Outcomes: A Multicenter Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between findings of blinded reviews of preoperative drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) examinations using the VOTE Classification and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) surgical outcomes in a large multicenter, international cohort.

METHODS

Retrospective, multi-center cohort study of adults without tonsillar hypertrophy who underwent pharyngeal surgery for OSA. The study included only participants without enlarged tonsils. Four independent reviewers performed blinded review of preoperative DISE videos using the VOTE Classification system and scoring of a primary structure contributing to airway obstruction. DISE findings were examined for an association with surgical outcomes with univariate analyses and multiple regression.

RESULTS

Two hundred seventy-five study participants were included from 14 centers. Mean age was 51.4 ± 11.8 years, and body mass index was 30.1 ± 5.2 kg/m² . There was moderate interrater reliability (kappa = 0.40-0.60) for DISE findings. Oropharyngeal lateral wall-related obstruction was associated with poorer surgical outcomes (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.51; 95% CI 0.27, 0.93). Complete tongue-related obstruction was associated with a lower odds of surgical response in moderate to severe OSA (AOR 0.52; 95% CI 0.28, 0.98), with findings that were similar but not statistically significant in other analyses. Surgical outcomes were not clearly associated with the degree and configuration of velum-related obstruction or the degree of epiglottis-related obstruction. Surgical response was associated with tonsil size and body mass index (inversely).

CONCLUSION

DISE findings concerning the oropharyngeal lateral walls and tongue may be the most important findings of this evaluation technique.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2B Laryngoscope, 129:761-770, 2019.

Reliability of drug-induced sedation endoscopy: interobserver agreement

PURPOSE

Several studies have demonstrated the validity, reliability, and safety of drug-induced sedation endoscopy (DISE) in assessing the collapse of the upper airway (UA) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypoapnea syndrome (OSAHS). The aim of this study was to assess the interobserver agreement on DISE and on therapeutic decision between an expert observer and an observer in training.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study. Thirty-one DISE videos performed in our service were randomly selected. Videos belonged to patients with OSAHS who wanted alternative treatments to CPAP. The videos were reviewed by an ENT experienced on DISE and a second observer in formation. Each observer independently assessed the presence of collapse of the UA according to a modified VOTE classification and proposed an alternative treatment to CPAP. Interobserver agreement kappa values were calculated.

RESULTS

In assessing the presence of collapse at different levels of the upper airway, the percentage of agreement was 80 % at the level of the soft palate (kappa = 0.1667), 89.29 % in the oropharynx (k = 0.7742), 80.65 % at the tongue base (k = 0.5571), and 74.17 % at the epiglottis (k = 0.4768). When degree and configuration of the collapse was evaluated, the interrater agreement was moderate to good, except at the level of the tongue base where the agreement was weak for both degree and configuration of collapse (k = 0.34 and 0.38, respectively). Interobserver agreement was moderate when the indication of alternative treatments to CPAP is valued based on the findings of DISE.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, DISE is a reliable technique even when assessing interobserver agreement between an experienced observer and one in training; however, tongue base is the level of the upper airway that presents the greatest difficulties when assessing the collapse with DISE. Therefore, it is important to develop learning curves for this technique in order to obtain more reliable results.

Surgical results of different palate techniques to treat oropharyngeal collapse

The aim of this study was to assess the surgical success rate of patients undergoing oropharyngeal surgery, selected through drug-induced sleep endoscopy. Secondly, to compare outcomes of the different oropharyngeal surgery techniques applied. The study design was retrospective case series of surgically treated patients from 2006 to 2013. All patients were diagnosed with either moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea and did not tolerate conventional positive airway pressure. We performed five different surgical techniques to treat oropharyngeal collapse: partial palate resection, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, Z-palatoplasty, lateral pharyngoplasty and expansion pharyngoplasty. Patients in whom multilevel surgery was performed were excluded. 53 patients were included in our study, 52.8 % were severe obstructive sleep apnea patients, mean age was 43.9 years, mean body mass index 27.5. The surgical success rate according to Sher's criteria was 71.7 %. 47.2 % had a postoperative apnea hypopnea index lower than 10. The highest success rate was measured in patients who underwent expansion pharyngoplasty (90 % according to Sher's criteria, 80 % with a postoperative apnea hypopnea index lower than 10) although it did not reach statistical significance. Our conclusion is that drug-induced sleep endoscopy is a good tool to select surgical candidates in patients with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea who are not compliant with the optimal therapy. Expansion pharyngoplasty was the surgical technique with the highest success rates.