Anterior palatoplasty in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea - a systemic review

International Consensus Statement on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

BACKGROUND

Evaluation and interpretation of the literature on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) allows for consolidation and determination of the key factors important for clinical management of the adult OSA patient. Toward this goal, an international collaborative of multidisciplinary experts in sleep apnea evaluation and treatment have produced the International Consensus statement on Obstructive Sleep Apnea (ICS:OSA).

METHODS

Using previously defined methodology, focal topics in OSA were assigned as literature review (LR), evidence-based review (EBR), or evidence-based review with recommendations (EBR-R) formats. Each topic incorporated the available and relevant evidence which was summarized and graded on study quality. Each topic and section underwent iterative review and the ICS:OSA was created and reviewed by all authors for consensus.

RESULTS

The ICS:OSA addresses OSA syndrome definitions, pathophysiology, epidemiology, risk factors for disease, screening methods, diagnostic testing types, multiple treatment modalities, and effects of OSA treatment on multiple OSA-associated comorbidities. Specific focus on outcomes with positive airway pressure (PAP) and surgical treatments were evaluated.

CONCLUSION

This review of the literature consolidates the available knowledge and identifies the limitations of the current evidence on OSA. This effort aims to create a resource for OSA evidence-based practice and identify future research needs. Knowledge gaps and research opportunities include improving the metrics of OSA disease, determining the optimal OSA screening paradigms, developing strategies for PAP adherence and longitudinal care, enhancing selection of PAP alternatives and surgery, understanding health risk outcomes, and translating evidence into individualized approaches to therapy.

Efficacy of pillar implants to reduce snoring and daytime sleepiness

OBJECTIVE

To measure the efficacy of pillar implants in reducing snoring.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 30 adult patients who underwent pillar implants were assessed preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the implantation. Improvement was measured using snoring frequency, visual analog scale for snoring loudness, and Epworth sleepiness scale for daytime sleepiness.

RESULTS

The mean snoring frequency, loudness and Epworth score were reduced from 6.9, 9.2 and 7.4 at the baseline to 5, 5.9 and 5.6, respectively, at 12 months postoperatively (all p < 0.03). The partial implant extrusion rate was 6.7%.

CONCLUSION

We suggest that a pillar implant procedure should be considered before proceeding to more morbid surgeries in patients with snoring and daytime sleepiness.

Postoperative Pain and Wound Healing After Coblation-Assisted Barbed Anterior Pharyngoplasty (CABAPh): An Observational Study

Despite the numerous progresses in the palatal surgery, one of the critical aspect of snoring and OSA surgery is the postoperative pain. Over the last decades several surgical palatal procedures have been proposed. Our aim was to evaluate the tolerability of the coblation-assisted barbed anterior pharyngoplasty (CABAPh) in terms of postoperative pain and wound healing, compared with bipolar assisted barbed anterior pharyngoplasty (BAPh). An observational study on 20 patients with simple snoring was conducted. The outcomes measured to assessing pain were a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS) and the dose of paracetamol + codeine administrated postoperatively. The wound healing was evaluated using a 3-point scale. The other parameters indicative of both pain and surgical repair were food intake and weight loss postoperatively. The mean overall pain (VAS scale) was significantly less in the CABAPh group (M 3.7; CI 3.34-4.06) compared with the BAPh (M 4.73; CI 4.28-5.19) with a P = 0.003. The mean wound healing after 4 weeks was significantly less in CABAPh group (M 2.7; CI 3.12-2.28) compared with the BAPh (M 2.1; CI 2.45-1.75) with a P = 0.02. There were no statistically significant difference with regard to food intake (P = 0.09) and weight loss (P = 0.94). The CABAPh was able to achieve a greater pain reduction and a faster wound healing compared with bipolar forceps.

Treatment-emergent central sleep apnoea after surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea

Central sleep apnoea (CSA) is a lack of drive to breathe during sleep, which can occur in physiologic as well as in pathologic conditions. A particular type of CSA, defined treatment-emergent CSA (TECSA), may occur after the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), either with CPAP or surgery. TECSA is transitory and seems to be related to the severity of OSAS. We describe a 51-year-old man affected by severe OSAS who developed severe, transient CSA immediately after upper airways surgery. We believe that CSA was triggered by the sudden variation in nocturnal arterial PCO₂, which decreased from 52.3 mmHg before surgery to 42.0 mmHg after surgery. It is conceivable that, due to long-lasting severe OSAS, our patient lowered his chemosensitivity to PCO₂. Consequently, the resolution of obstructive apnoeas and the restoration of normal nocturnal values of PCO₂ may have reduced the nocturnal PCO₂ to the point of being inadequate to stimulate ventilation.