Robert W. Riley

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Review of 306 Consecutively Treated Surgical Patients

Three hundred six consecutively treated surgical patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome were evaluated from a group of 415 patients. One hundred nine patients were excluded because they failed to obtain a postoperative polysomnogram or were lost to followup. All patients received a physical examination, cephalometric analysis, fiberoptic examination, and polysomnography before treatment to document OSAS and determine the areas of obstruction. A two-phase surgical protocol was used for the reconstruction of the upper airway. Phase I surgery consisted of a uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) for palatal obstruction and genioglossus advancement with hyoid myotomy-suspension for base of tongue obstruction. Failures of phase I were offered phase 2 reconstruction, which consisted of maxillary-mandibular advancement osteotomy. One hundred twenty-one patients were treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) before surgery and this was the primary method of evaluating surgical success. Results were reported on the polysomnogram performed a minimum of 6 months after surgery and compared to the preoperative polysomnogram and the second night nasal CPAP study. The polysomnographic results included respiratory disturbance index (RDI), lowest oxyhemoglobin saturation (LSAT), and sleep architecture parameters. Surgery was considered a success if it was equivalent to nasal CPAP or the postoperative RDI was less than 20 with normal oxygenation. The overall success rate, which included patients that dropped from the protocol, was 76.5%, with a mean followup of 9.3 months (SD, 6.7). The preoperative RDI, nasal CPAP RDI, and postoperative RDI were 55.8 (SD, 26.7), 7.2 (SD, 5.4), and 9.2 (SD, 7.5), respectively. The preoperative LSAT, nasal CPAP LSAT, and postoperative LSAT were 70.5 (SD, 15.8), 86.7 (SD, 8.5), and 86.6 (SD, 4.1), respectively. Patients who proceeded to completion of the protocol had a success rate of more than 95%. This report has allowed us to conclude that a comprehensive presurgical evaluation allows a logical approach to reconstruction of the upper airway, and patients who complete the surgical protocol have a greater than 95% long-term success rate, which is superior to any other treatment modality.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a comparison between Far-East Asian and white men.

Objectives To investigate the possible differences between Far‐East Asian men and white men in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

Radiofrequency Tongue Base Reduction in Sleep-Disordered Breathing: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE: This pilot study investigates the new technology of radiofrequency energy (RFe), as applied to the tongue base, for the purpose of assessing feasibility, safety, and possible efficacy in the treatment of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). METHODS: Eighteen patients with SDB, in whom at least palatopharyngoplasty had failed, were entered in this study. The mean respiratory disturbance index was 39.6, with a mean nadir oxygen (SaO2) of 81.9%. A radiofrequency electrode delivered energy to the subsurface tongue base with local anesthetic. Polysomnography, quantitative speech and swallowing studies, questionnaires, and visual analog scales were used to assess outcomes. MRI assessed changes in tongue volume. RESULTS: Separate RFe treatments (mean 5.5) at 4-week intervals were given (mean 1543 J for 9 minutes at 80°C), for a mean energy total of 8490 J per patient. The posttreatment mean respiratory disturbance index was 17.8, and the SaO2 nadir was 88.3%. Weight increased slightly; speech and swallowing did not change. Questionnaires and visual analog scale scores showed improvement in study variables. Tongue volume was reduced by a mean of 17%. Pain was controlled by hydrocodone for 3 to 4 days. One infection was seen and resolved with incision and drainage. CONCLUSION: This pilot study demonstrates feasibility, safety, and efficacy in reducing tongue volume using RFe. Additional cumulative energy may improve the cure rate for SDB. The application of radiofrequency energy (RFe) for medical and surgical purposes has been extensively researched in the past. 1–4 We have recently applied these basic RFe principles to 3 consecutive investigations, which included 1 animal tongue model 5 and 2 human airway models (palate and turbinates). 6,7 These studies were done to specifically evaluate the biophysics and safety of RFe and to establish a scientific basis for the application of RFe to the human tongue in sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). The primary goal of this pilot investigation was to evaluate whether RFe could, in those with SDB and hypopharyngeal obstruction, reduce tongue volume and possibly improve SDB.

TB database: an integrated platform for tuberculosis research

The effective control of tuberculosis (TB) has been thwarted by the need for prolonged, complex and potentially toxic drug regimens, by reliance on an inefficient vaccine and by the absence of biomarkers of clinical status. The promise of the genomics era for TB control is substantial, but has been hindered by the lack of a central repository that collects and integrates genomic and experimental data about this organism in a way that can be readily accessed and analyzed. The Tuberculosis Database (TBDB) is an integrated database providing access to TB genomic data and resources, relevant to the discovery and development of TB drugs, vaccines and biomarkers. The current release of TBDB houses genome sequence data and annotations for 28 different Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains and related bacteria. TBDB stores pre- and post-publication gene-expression data from M. tuberculosis and its close relatives. TBDB currently hosts data for nearly 1500 public tuberculosis microarrays and 260 arrays for Streptomyces. In addition, TBDB provides access to a suite of comparative genomics and microarray analysis software. By bringing together M. tuberculosis genome annotation and gene-expression data with a suite of analysis tools, TBDB (http://www.tbdb.org/) provides a unique discovery platform for TB research.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Surgical Protocol for Dynamic Upper Airway Reconstruction

A surgical protocol for dynamic upper airway reconstruction in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is presented. Two hundred thirty-nine consecutively treated patients were evaluated. All patients underwent a presurgical evaluation that included a physical examination, fiberoptic pharyngoscopy, cephalometric analysis, and polygraphic monitoring. The goal of the presurgical evaluation was to document sleep apnea and isolate the area of obstruction. The treatment was then directed to the obstructive site. The surgical protocol included two phases. Phase 1 was a conservative approach and included uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and/or mandibular osteotomy with genioglossus advancement-hyoid myotomy and suspension. Polysomnography was repeated at 6 months and patients with unsuccessful surgical results were offered maxillary-mandibular advancement osteotomy. Results were based on the postoperative polysomnograms, and included assessing changes in both sleep architecture and sleep-disordered breathing. The surgical results were compared with results in patients who were using nasal continuous positive airway pressure. The surgical success rate for the 239 patients entered into phase 1 therapy was 61% (145 patients). Twenty-four patients who failed phase 1 treatment elected phase 2 treatment. The surgical success rate of this phase was 100%.

Palatopharyngoplasty failure, cephalometric roentgenograms, and obstructive sleep apnea.

Nine patients with obstructive sleep apnea who underwent unsuccessful palatopharyngoplasty (PPP) as documented by polygraphic monitoring had abnormal cephalometric roentgenogram measurements. Findings indicated a small posterior airway space and inferiorly placed hyoid bone. Cephalometry performed with appropriate techniques to investigate soft tissue location should be obtained systematically in obstructive sleep apneic patients before any surgery is performed. The roentgenogram finding is a helpful guide in deciding whether PPP alone or PPP in combination with other surgical procedures would be more efficacious.

Maxillary, mandibular, and hyoid advancement for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: A review of 40 patients

Forty patients with documented obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) were evaluated following maxillary and mandibular osteotomies (MMO). All patients were evaluated before and after surgery by a physical examination, fiberoptic pharyngoscopy, cephalometric analysis, and polysomnography. Ninety-seven percent of the patients responded to the surgical treatment, based on the polysomnogram. The present indications for MMO are severe OSAS, morbid obesity, and severe mandibular deficiency.

Obstructive sleep apnea and the hyoid: a revised surgical procedure.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome results from a loss of muscular activity of pharyngeal dilators and airway collapse at the hypopharynx–base of tongue or the oropharynx–soft palate. The hyoid arch and its muscle attachments strongly affect hypopharyngeal airway patency and resistance. On the basis of these concepts and previous experience, a modified hyoid suspension procedure is presented. Fifteen consecutively treated surgical patients underwent an isolated modified hyoid suspension procedure to correct hypopharyngeal obstruction. Oropharyngeal-palatal obstruction had previously been corrected or was thought not to be a component of the obstruction. Treatment outcomes were based on objective polysomnographic data and subjective clinical correction of excessive daytime sleepiness. The polysomnographlc data Included analysis of the respiratory disturbance index and lowest oxyhemoglobin desaturation. On the basis of these criteria, 12 of 15 patients (75%) had correction of their excessive daytime sleepiness and marked improvement in their sleep disorder breathing. The mean preoperative respiratory disturbance index was 44.7 ± 22.6, and the lowest oxyhemoglobin desaturation was 82% ± 6%. The postoperative respiratory disturbance index and lowest oxyhemoglobin desaturation were 12.8 ± 6.9 and 86% ± 5%, respectively. The modified hyoid suspension procedure appears to offer significant adjunctive treatment for hypopharyngeal obstruction in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

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.

A Comparison of Asian and White Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Objective: To evaluate the possible differences between Asian and white patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.