Samuel A. Mickelson

A Multi-Institutional Study of Radiofrequency Volumetric Tissue Reduction for OSAS

OBJECTIVES: Radiofrequency volume reduction (RFTVR) is a minor procedure directed at reducing the tongue base volume to treat obstructive sleep apnea. Subjective and objective treatment effectiveness was evaluated. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Two separate prospective, matched, nonrandomized, open enrollment treatment groups (RFTVR, n = 73 and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP, n = 99) were concurrently enrolled in a multicenter study. RESULTS: Fifty-six (76.7%) RFTVR completed PSG with a mean 5.4 ± 1.8 treatments (13,394 ± 5459 joules). Perioperatively, acute pain was mild to moderate; edema, mucosal erosion, paresthesia, tinnitus were infrequent; and speech, swallowing taste, or throat irritation were unchanged. Self-reported outcomes did not differ between RFTVR and CPAP groups. Mean apnea/hypopnea index decreased (40.5 ± 21.5 to 32.8 ± 22.6 events/hr, P < 0.01). Electrolyte solution injected predicted results (r = 0.43, P < 0.001). The most severe complication was abscess (1.1%). CONCLUSION: RFTVR improves apnea/hypopnea index. Improvement may be related to solution injected with treatment. RFTVR and CPAP clinical outcomes improvement were similar. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In mild obstructive sleep apnea, treatment of symptomatic outcomes with RFTVR may be an alternative to CPAP.

Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty for Obstructive Sleep Apnea†

Laser‐assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) can reduce snoring by sequentially removing excessive vibratory tissue of the velopharynx. The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia in an office setting. Since the appearance of the soft palate is similar after both LAUP and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, LAUP may also be efficacious in the management of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

Is postoperative intensive care monitoring necessary after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

We conducted a retrospective review of 347 consecutive patients who underwent surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. We analyzed perioperative data to identify the nature and rate of complications in an attempt to determine whether intensive care unit monitoring is needed after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and associated procedures including septoplasty, tonsillectomy, turbinate reduction, geniohyoid advancement, and tracheostomy. In the 347 cases, 14 complications occurred (4%), including 5 involving the airway, 5 postoperative hemorrhages, and 4 complications classed as “other,” including dehiscence of a tracheostomy flap, abdominal ileus, urine retention, and increased creatinine concentration. We found no difference between preoperative lowest oxygen saturation and oxygen-saturation readings in the postoperative period and no correlation between complication rate and apnea severity. An association was detected between multiple simultaneous procedures and the development of complications: 50% of the patients in whom complications developed had undergone nasal procedures along with UPPP, compared with only 15% of the patients without complications. Except for one patient, all complications that occurred on the surgical ward were treated without transfer to the intensive care unit. Although surgery on the upper airway must be performed with caution in patients with sleep apnea, our findings suggest that UPPP is a safe procedure and that postoperative monitoring in an intensive care setting is not necessary for most patients.

Pharyngeal suspension suture with Repose bone screw for obstructive sleep apnea

OBJECTIVE: Multilevel surgery for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) may improve success. This studys goal is to prospectively evaluate the feasibility and short-term subjective effectiveness of a new tongue-suspension technique. METHODS: A multicenter nonrandomized open enrollment trial used the Repose device to treat tongue obstruction in 39 snoring and OSA patients. Outcomes include 1- and 2-month subjective reports of general health, snoring, and sleep. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients completed 1 month and 19 completed 2 months of follow-up. In OSA patients, activity level, energy/fatigue, and sleepiness improved. Two-month outcomes were less (activity level, energy/fatigue, and sleepiness). Fewer changes were observed in snorers than in OSA patients. There were 6 complications (18%), including sialadenitis (4), gastrointestinal bleeding (1), and dehydration (1) after the procedure. CONCLUSION: A pharyngeal suspension suture changes subjective outcomes. Improvement is incomplete. The procedure is nonexcisional, but significant complications may occur. Further evaluation is required to demonstrate effectiveness.

Short-term objective and long-term subjective results of laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty for obstructive sleep apnea†

Objectives: To determine the short‐term and long‐term effects of laser‐assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) on symptoms and polysomnographic measures in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Study Design: Prospective assessment of outcomes after LAUP in patients with OSAS. Methods: Fifty‐nine patients with OSAS underwent LAUP, and 36 completed postoperative sleep studies. Questionnaires ranking snoring and apneic symptoms were completed by the patient and bed partner before LAUP, 6 to 12 weeks after LAUP, and in the long term (>2 years). Results: The apnea index decreased from 14.4 to 5.8 (P = .0012), respiratory disturbance index (RDI) decreased from 28.1 to 7.9 (P = .0046), and the mean lowest oxyhemoglobin saturation increased from 80.6% to 84.0% (P = .055). The RDI was reduced to 10 or less in 44.4% of patients. Subjective questionnaires showed statistically significant improvements in snoring, morning fatigue, morning headaches, daytime somnolence, and daytime psychometric measures. The symptomatic improvement persisted in the long term. Conclusions: LAUP is an effective method for the management of OSAS. We have demonstrated short‐term improvement in polysomnographic measures and short‐term and long‐term improvement in subjective measures.

OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME AND ACROMEGALY

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a complex disorder that has been associated with a variety of abnormalities of the upper airway, including tonsil and adenoid hypertrophy, nasal obstruction, retrognathia, and macroglossia. The cause of the airway obstruction in acromegaly is believed to be related to osseous and soft-tissue changes surrounding the upper airway, which lead to narrowing and subsequent collapse during sleep. We describe the results of treatment in seven patients with both sleep apnea and acromegaly. Four patients were treated by transsphenoidal hypophysectomy alone with a resolution of sleep apnea syndrome. One underwent hypophysectomy followed by postoperative radiation therapy, which reduced his apnea. Three patients underwent unsuccessful uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. Successful treatment of the primary disorder, in this case acromegaly, resulted in improved breathing during sleep in five patients. This series would suggest that acromegalic patients with sleep apnea should be treated for their pituitary tumor to reduce growth hormone before consideration of surgery to enlarge or bypass the upper airway.

Tongue suspension: an evidence-based review and comparison to hypopharyngeal surgery for OSA.

Our first objective was to perform a systematic review of suture‐based tongue suspension procedures as a stand‐alone therapy for hypopharyngeal obstruction in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A second objective compared outcomes of tongue suspension as part of a multilevel approach to OSA surgery to genioglossus advancement (GA) with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), and to genioglossus advancement with hyoid suspension (GAHM) with UPPP.

Multicenter study of a novel adjustable tongue-advancement device for obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: The safety and clinical effect of a new surgical device for tongue suspension for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was assessed. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter phase 2 prospective case series. SETTING: Multicenter academic and private. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Surgically naïve patients with moderate-to-severe OSA and tongue base obstruction (body mass index < 32, apnea/hypopnea index [AHI] 15–60) underwent surgical insertion of a midline tissue anchor into the posterior tongue and connected to an adjustable mandibular bone anchor with a flexible tether. Outcomes included changes in AHI, sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), sleep-related quality-of-life (Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire), snoring, swallowing, speech, and pain (0–10 visual analog scale). RESULTS: After the implant, 42 patients (mean age 50 years, body mass index 28) noted improvement at six months for AHI (mean [SD]: 35.5 [20.4] to 27.3 [18.8]), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (11.5 [3.9] to 7.8 [4.7]), and Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (15.5 [2.6] to 17.5 [2.6], all P < 0.01). Snoring VAS scores improved (7.3 [2.1] to 4.7 [2.9], P < 0.01). Postimplant pain scores were mild to moderate (4.4) at day one and resolved by day five. Post-titration pain scores were mild (< 2). Device-related adverse events included wound infection (7%) and edema or seroma (5%), which resolved. However, in 31 percent of patients, asymptomatic tissue anchor barb fractures were observed radiographically. CONCLUSION: The tissue anchor failure rate of the tested device precludes its clinical use; however, the study results support that a titratable, tongue-suspension device with low direct surgical morbidity in patients with moderate-to-severe sleep apnea significantly improves multiple measures of sleep apnea. Further investigation is warranted.

Effect of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and genial and hyoid advancement on swallowing in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

OBJECTIVE: Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and genial and hyoid advancement (GHA) are surgical techniques for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. These techniques enlarge the oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal airway, reducing collapse at these levels. This study evaluated the effect of these procedures on swallowing. METHODS: Fifteen patients who had undergone UPPP and GHA were evaluated with a modified barium swallow to assess biomechanical changes in swallowing. Specifically, velopharyngeal insufficiency; changes in tongue-base movement, laryngeal elevation, and closure; epiglottic movement; and pharyngoesophageal opening were examined. A brief swallowing questionnaire was administered to assess for subjective changes in swallowing. RESULTS: Nine of 15 patients demonstrated abnormal objective swallow, of whom 5 reported normal subjective swallowing. Six of 15 demonstrated normal objective swallowing. Of these, 5 reported subjective change. CONCLUSION: UPPP with GHA may alter biomechanical events during deglutition. However, little correlation exists between subjective symptoms and objective findings. Further studies that include preoperative and postoperative modified barium swallows are needed to identify a cause-and-effect relationship. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1999;120:454-7.)

Parapharyngeal abscess: an unusual complication of aural cholesteatoma.

T h e complications of chronic suppurative otitis media are classically characterized as intracranial, extracranial (otologic), and cervical. Intracranial complications include meningitis, cerebritis, cerebellar and temporal lobe abscess, subdural empyema, cerebral herniation, and lateral sinus thrombosis (phlebitis). Extracranial complications include labyrinthine fistula or sequestrum, suppurative labyrinthitis, facial nerve dehiscence or paralysis, petrositis, ossicular erosion, keratosis obturans, intratemporal carotid aneurysm, extradural or perisinus abscess, and subperiosteal or zygomatic abscess.’-I4 A review of the otolaryngologic literature elicits few reports of cervical complications of chronic suppurative otitis media: Bezold’s abscess, carotid sheath abscess, internal jugular and subclavian vein thrombophlebitis, and neck mass with direct extension to mastoid cortex via a cholesteatomatous fistula. This is the first case report of aural cholesteatoma appearing as a parapharyngeal abscess via eustachian perituba1 extension, with attendant complications of gramnegative bacteremia, facial paralysis, and extradural abscess with localized meningitis.