Robert J. Troell

Surgery and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Long-Term Clinical Outcomes:

OBJECTIVE: Outcome data on the surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea are, in general, based on short-term follow-up (<6–9 months). This examination was undertaken to assess long-term results. METHODS: Forty patients who underwent soft tissue and skeletal surgery were the subjects of this review. Methods of evaluation included polysomnographic variables (respiratory disturbance index [RDI], low oxyhemoglobin desaturation [LSATT]), body mass index, quality-of-life assessments, roentgenographic analysis, and complications. Statistical analysis used the SAS 6.12 system. RESULTS: Thirty-six of 40 patients (90%) showed long-term clinical success. The mean preoperative RDI, nasal continuous positive airway pressure RDI, and long-term RDI were 71.2 ± 27.0, 7.6 ± 5.2 and 7.6 ± 5.1, respectively. The mean preoperative LSAT, nasal continuous positive airway pressure LSAT, and long-term LSAT were 67.5% ± 14.8%, 87.1% ± 3.2%, and 86.3% ± 3.9%, respectively. The mean follow-up was 50.7 ± 31.9 months. The patients showed a statistically significant long-term weight gain (P = 0.0002) compared with their 6-month postoperative level (body mass index 31.4 ± 6.7 vs 32.2 ± 6.3). There was a positive correlation with the amount of skeletal advancement and clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive evaluation and surgical treatment can result in successful long-term clinical outcome.

Radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction for treatment of turbinate hypertrophy: A pilot study☆☆☆★★★

OBJECTIVES: Ideal treatment for nasal obstruction caused by turbinate hypertrophy remains in question. Medical therapy is often ineffective. Surgical procedures have associated morbidity including pain, bleeding, crusting, adhesion, infection, and dryness. Radiofrequency has recently been shown to be safe and effective in volumetric tissue reduction of the tongue in the animal model and of the palate in human beings. We prospectively evaluate the safety and effectiveness of radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction (RFVTR) for the treatment of nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy METHODS: Twenty-two consecutive patients with nasal obstruction and associated inferior turbinate hypertrophy refractory to medical therapy were evaluated for RFVTR. The study design limited the region of treatment to the anterior third of the inferior turbinate. The procedures were performed in an ambulatory facility with patients under local anesthesia. Clinical examinations, patient questionnaires, and visual analog scales were used to assess treatment outcomes. RESULTS: No adverse effects were encountered, including bleeding, crusting, dryness, infection, adhesion, or a worsening of obstruction. Mild edema was noted in all patients but was of short duration (24 to 48 hours). Posttreatment discomfort was well controlled with acetaminophen. Eight weeks after treatment, nasal breathing improved in 21 of 22 patients, with a 58.5% reduction in severity and a 56.5% decrease in the frequency of nasal obstruction. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that RFVTR of the hypertrophic inferior turbinate is associated with minimal adverse effects. Furthermore, this new treatment modality achieves subjective improvement in patients with symptoms of nasal obstruction. However, because of the small sample size and short follow-up, future investigations are needed to fully evaluate the use of RFVTR in the treatment of nasal obstruction caused by turbinate hypertrophy

Radiofrequency Treatment of Turbinate Hypertrophy in Subjects Using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Clinical Pilot Trial

Objectives To estimate the treatment effect of temperature‐controlled radiofrequency (TCRF) reduction of turbinate hypertrophy in patients with sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and to assess the impact of study design on this estimate.

Long-Term Results of Maxillomandibular Advancement Surgery.

Surgery is a major modality in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), and maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) has been shown to be the most effective surgical option. However, despite the successful short-term (6–9 months) results reported by various investigators, little is known of the long-term clinical outcomes. A review of our long-term clinical results demonstrated that MMA achieves long-term cure in most patients. Aging and minor weight gain did not appear to have a significant adverse effect on the long-term results; however, major weight gain did seem to have a significant negative impact on the long-term outcomes. Therefore, long-term follow-up with proper counseling on weight maintenance or reduction is essential in improving long-term results.

Radiofrequency volumetric reduction of the palate: An extended follow-up study ☆ ☆☆

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to evaluate the effect of radiofrequency (RF) of the palate on speech, swallowing, taste, sleep, and snoring 12 to 18 months after treatment. METHODS: Twenty-two patients were evaluated by clinical examination, questionnaires, and visual analog scales. The patients with relapse of snoring were offered further RF treatment. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 14 months, no adverse effect was reported. Subjective snoring scores relapsed by 29% overall. Nine patients (41%) noted relapse of snoring from 2.1 ± 1.1 to 5.7 ± 2.7 (P < 0.001). Eight of the patients underwent further RF treatment with a reduction of snoring from 5.8 ± 2.9 to 3.3 ± 3.1 (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The success of RF volumetric reduction of the palate diminishes with time, as with other surgical procedures of the palate. However, the minimal invasiveness of the RF provided a high patient acceptance for retreatment, and relapse of snoring can be improved.

The road to danger : The comparative risks of driving while sleepy

Objectives/Hypothesis A large sector of the population of the United States has sleep deprivation directly leading to excessive daytime sleepiness. The prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness in this population ranges from 0.3% to 13.3%. The consequences of even 1 to 2 hours of sleep loss nightly may result in decrements in daytime functions resulting in human error, accidents, and catastrophic events. The magnitude of risks in the workplace or on the highways resulting from sleepiness is not fully understood or appreciated by the general population. Hence, to more clearly emphasize the magnitude of these risks, we question whether mild sleep deprivation may have the same effect as alcohol on reaction times and driving performance.

Detection of metastases from head and neck cancers

Before treatment for head and neck malignancies is begun, a search for distant metastases (DM) is performed. The first objective of this review was to determine the accuracy of liver function tests (LFT), alkaline phosphatase (AP) tests, and chest radiographs (CXR) in detection of DM. Second, an effort was made to identify tumor characteristics which are associated with a higher incidence of DM and therefore justify the use of more precise screening tools.

Characterization of postoperative edema following laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty using MRI and polysomnography : implications for the outpatient treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Laser‐assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) has been introduced as an alternative to uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for the treatment of snoring. Despite limited study, the use of this procedure has been expanded to include patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Although the potential cost‐savings of performing sleep apnea surgery on an outpatient basis are self‐evident, concern exists regarding the safety of this practice.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Surgery: Patient Perspective and Polysomnographic Results

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to assess the outcomes of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) surgery based on the patient perspective and polysomnographic data. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-six patients with severe OSA completed the 2-phase reconstructive protocol. A minimum of 6 months after the phase II surgery and after the postoperative polysomnography, questionnaires with visual analog scales (VAS 0-10) were mailed to the patients to assess their perceptions of treatment results. RESULTS: Forty-two (75%) questionnaires were returned. The mean patient age was 46.3 years. The mean respiratory disturbance index improved from 58.7 to 10.0. The mean lowest oxygen saturation improved from 76.3 to 87.3%. All 42 patients reported improved sleep (VAS 8.7). Although 10 patients reported changes in speech, the changes were insignificant, with 9 of the patients scoring 0 on the VAS (VAS 0.08 ± 0.3). Five patients reported changes in swallowing, and their VAS scores were 0.5, 0.9, 1.0, 2.7, and 6.9 (mean VAS 2.4 ± 2.7). Forty patients (95%) were satisfied with their results and would undergo the reconstruction again. CONCLUSION: Surgical airway reconstruction for severe OSA is a highly effective treatment option base on the objective as well as the subjective assessment.

Evaluation of a new procedure for nasal alar rim and valve collapse: Nasal alar rim reconstruction

OBJECTIVE A new operative technique to improve nasal valve collapse by placement of cartilage struts along the alar rim was compared with the standard nasal valve cartilage graft (NVG) technique. METHODS AND PATIENTS A retrospective study of consecutive patients with nasal valve collapse was performed at Stanford University Medical Center. Seventy-nine patients with nasal valve collapse underwent reconstruction with either the classic NVG technique or a newly developed nasal alar rim reconstructive (NARR) procedure. The mean age of the NARR group was 50.13 years (SD ± 9.40), with 36 men (92.3%) and 3 women (7.7%). The mean age of the NVG group was 52.14 years (SD ± 10.83), with 36 men (90%) and 4 women (10%). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES These included functional and subjective evaluation of nasal valve collapse. RESULTS Forty patients (50.6%) underwent the NVG technique, and 39 (49.4%) received the NARR procedure. The NVG technique revealed 0% worsened, 15.0% (6/40) unchanged, 25.0% (10/40) improved, and 60% (24/40) free of obstruction. The NARR procedure revealed 2.6% worsened, 2.6% unchanged, 7.7% improved, and 87.1% free of obstruction. CONCLUSIONS Nasal alar cartilage struts placed along the caudal alar rim offers sufficient support to the alar rim and valve area. This procedure appears to be as effective as currently available reconstructive alternatives, while being technically uncomplicated.