Palate shape is associated with Unilateral Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine the potential association between palate shape and unilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) outcomes. METHODS: Preoperative drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) videos were reviewed and scored by 3 blinded reviewers to determine airway narrowing at the hard-soft palate junction (HP), soft palate genu, and inferior velum, as described by Woodson (2014). Scoring was as follows: 1-open airway, 2-narrow, 3-severe narrowing. Overall palate shape (oblique, intermediate, or vertical) was determined based on prior criteria. Successful surgical treatment was defined by the HNS titration polysomnogram as a reduction of ≥50% in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) to <15 events/h. RESULTS: Of 332 adults, the majority was male (77%) with an average BMI of 29.2 ± 3.6 kg/m2 . Overall success rate was 73%. Success rate was lower in patients with vertical palate shape compared with the other shapes (56% vs. 75%, p = 0.029). HP score 3 compared with scores 2 and 1 was associated with lower success rates (60% vs. 76%, p = 0.028), but genu and velum scores were not associated with outcomes. Patients with both HP score 3 and complete oropharyngeal lateral wall-related obstruction had notably worse outcomes (22% vs. 74%, p = 0.026). HP score 3 (OR 0.45, 95%CI 0.22-0.92) and vertical palate shape (OR 0.33, 95%CI 0.15-0.78) were independently associated with lower odds of surgical response after adjustment for DISE findings, age, gender, and BMI. CONCLUSION: Vertical palate shape and narrowing at the hard-soft palate junction are independently associated with lower HNS surgical success rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:981-986, 2024.

Palate Shape, Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy Findings, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Pharyngeal Surgery Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Pharyngeal surgery is a treatment option for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) unable to tolerate positive pressure therapy. This study aims to determine the association between palate shape as described by Woodson and pharyngeal surgical outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Exploratory analysis of retrospective cohort. SETTING: Multicenter. METHODS: Three blinded reviewers assessed palate shape using drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) videos from a previously-assembled cohort of adults undergoing pharyngeal surgery. Palate shape scores were examined for association with surgical outcomes with univariate and multivariate analyses. Multivariate analyses included adjustment for consensus DISE findings determined previously. RESULTS: Two hundred nine study subjects were included from 13 centers. Age was 53.7 ± 11.5 years, body mass index (BMI) was 30.3 ± 5.0 kg/m2, and 21% were female. In isolated soft palate surgery, greater GenuAP narrowing was associated with lesser odds of surgical response, whereas greater GenuLW narrowing was associated with greater odds of surgical response. These findings largely persisted after adjustment for key DISE findings, age, gender, OSA severity, BMI, and tonsil size. Other palate-shape findings were not clearly associated with surgical outcomes, although some palate-shape findings demonstrated trends toward an association with outcomes (P < .10). CONCLUSION: Greater GenuAP narrowing and GenuLW narrowing were associated with lesser and greater, respectively, odds of surgical response after isolated soft palate surgery. Palate shape and other palate shape level scores were not clearly associated with surgical outcomes. Larger studies may determine more precisely the association between palate shape and pharyngeal surgery outcomes.

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy: the VOTE classification.

The surgical evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea is designed to characterize the pattern of upper airway obstruction in order to develop an effective treatment plan for an individual patient. Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) is one evaluation technique that involves assessment of individuals under pharmacologic sedation designed to simulate natural sleep, utilizing fiberoptic endoscopy to examine the upper airway. Developed in multiple centers throughout Europe, DISE was first described in 1991 and is performed widely around the world. Although multiple studies support a potential role for DISE in evaluation for treatment with surgery and mandibular repositioning appliances, important clinical questions remain unanswered. A major limitation in advancing our understanding of drug-induced sleep endoscopy has been the multiplicity and, in many cases, the complexity of classification systems that prevent the comparison of results across the studies and centers. We present the VOTE classification, a method for characterizing DISE findings that focuses on its core feature, the specific structures that contribute to obstruction.

Comparison of Traditional Upper Airway Surgery and Upper Airway Stimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

OBJECTIVE: To compare patients with moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) undergoing traditional single and multilevel sleep surgery to those undergoing upper airway stimulation (UAS). STUDY DESIGN: Case control study comparing retrospective cohort of patients undergoing traditional sleep surgery to patients undergoing UAS enrolled in the ADHERE registry. SETTING: 8 multinational academic medical centers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 233 patients undergoing prior single or multilevel traditional sleep surgery and meeting study inclusion criteria were compared to 465 patients from the ADHERE registry who underwent UAS. We compared preoperative and postoperative demographic, quality of life, and polysomnographic data. We also evaluated treatment response rates. RESULTS: The pre and postoperative apnea hypopnea index (AHI) was 33.5 and 15 in the traditional sleep surgery group and 32 and 10 in the UAS group. The postoperative AHI in the UAS group was significantly lower. The pre and postoperative Epworth sleepiness scores (ESS) were 12 and 6 in both the traditional sleep surgery and UAS groups. Subgroup analysis evaluated those patients undergoing single level palate and multilevel palate and tongue base traditional sleep surgeries. The UAS group had a significantly lower postoperive AHI than both traditional sleep surgery subgroups. The UAS group had a higher percentage of patients reaching surgical success, defined as a postoperative AHI <20 with a 50% reduction from preoperative severity. CONCLUSION: UAS offers significantly better control of AHI severity than traditional sleep surgery. Quality life improvements were similar between groups.

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy and Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation Outcomes: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine the association between findings of blinded reviews of preoperative drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) and outcomes of hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: A retrospective, multicenter cohort study of 343 adults who underwent treatment of OSA with HNS from 10 academic medical centers was performed. Preoperative DISE videos were scored by four blinded reviewers using the VOTE Classification and evaluation of a possible primary structure contributing to airway obstruction. Consensus DISE findings were examined for an association with surgical outcomes based on therapy titration polysomnogram (tPSG). Treatment response was defined by a decrease of ≥50% in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) to <15 events/hour. RESULTS: Study participants (76% male, 60.4 ± 11.0 years old) had a body mass index of 29.2 ± 3.6 kg/m2 . AHI decreased (35.6 ± 15.2 to 11.0 ± 14.1 events/hour; P < .001) on the tPSG, with a 72.6% response rate. Complete palate obstruction (vs. none) was associated with the greatest difference in AHI improvement (-26.8 ± 14.9 vs. -19.2 ± 12.8, P = .02). Complete (vs. partial/none) tongue-related obstruction was associated with increased odds of treatment response (78% vs. 68%, P = .043). Complete (vs. partial/none) oropharyngeal lateral wall-related obstruction was associated with lower odds of surgical response (58% vs. 74%, P = .042). CONCLUSIONS: The DISE finding of primary tongue contribution to airway obstruction was associated with better outcomes, whereas the opposite was true for the oropharyngeal lateral walls. This study suggests that the role for DISE in counseling candidates for HNS extends beyond solely for excluding complete concentric collapse related to the velum. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 131:1676-1682, 2021.

Previous Surgery and Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether previous palate or hypopharyngeal surgery was associated with efficacy of treatment of obstructive sleep apnea with hypoglossal nerve stimulation. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort (retrospective and prospective). SETTING: Eleven academic medical centers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Adults treated with hypoglossal nerve stimulation were enrolled in the ADHERE Registry. Outcomes were defined by the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), in 3 ways: change in the AHI and 2 definitions of therapy response requiring ≥50% reduction in the AHI to a level <20 events/h (Response20) or 15 events/h (Response15). Previous palate and hypopharyngeal (tongue, epiglottis, or maxillofacial) procedures were documented. Linear and logistic regression examined the association between previous palate or hypopharyngeal surgery and outcomes, with adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index. RESULTS: The majority (73%, 217 of 299) had no previous palate or hypopharyngeal surgery, while 25% and 9% had previous palate or hypopharyngeal surgery, respectively, including 6% with previous palate and hypopharyngeal surgery. Baseline AHI (36.0 ± 15.6 events/h) decreased to 12.0 ± 13.3 at therapy titration (P < .001) and 11.4 ± 12.6 at final follow-up (P < .001). Any previous surgery, previous palate surgery, and previous hypopharyngeal surgery were not clearly associated with treatment response; for example, any previous surgery was associated with a 0.69 (95% CI: 0.37, 1.27) odds of response (Response20 measure) at therapy titration and a 0.55 (95% CI: 0.22, 1.34) odds of response (Response20 measure) at final follow-up. CONCLUSION: Previous upper airway surgery was not clearly associated with efficacy of hypoglossal nerve stimulation.

Suspension Palatoplasty for Obstructive Sleep Apnea- A Preliminary Study.

Suspension palatoplasty, a new surgical technique to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), has been developed to correct the retropalatal obstruction in patients with small tonsils (grade I/II) and anterior-posterior palatal (A-P) obstruction. The objecteive of this preliminary study was to investigate the effectiveness and change in retropalatal airway dimensions after suspension palatoplasty. This retrospective case series study included 25 consecutive male adults with OSA. Unique technical features of suspension palatoplasty are exposure of pterygomandibular raphe and suspension of palatopharyngeus muscle to the raphe. Six months after suspension palatoplasty, apnea-hyponea index significantly reduced from 39.8 to 15.1 (effect size = 1.6). None experienced postoperative bleeding and velopharyngeal insufficiency 1 month following surgery. Subjective snoring severity (visual analogue scale) and daytime sleepiness (the Epworth Sleepiness Scale) significantly improved (8.7 vs 2.0 and 10.2 vs 4.9, respectively). A-P dimension of the retropalatal airspace widened significantly on perioperative endoscopy (23.0 units vs 184.6 unites) as well as posterior air space in cephalometry (7.6 mm vs 10.2 mm). Our preliminary findings show that suspension palatoplasty seems to be an effective OSA surgery in the specific patient population with minimal complications, however, further studies including a large number of patients are required to confirm the findings.

National Database Analysis of Single-Level versus Multilevel Sleep Surgery.

Objective Recent evidence suggests that multilevel sleep surgery improves outcomes when compared with palate surgery alone for most patients. The study objective was to compare demographic and outcomes data for palate surgery (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty [UPPP]) alone versus multilevel surgery through a national insurance claims database. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting National insurance claims database. Subjects and Methods An adult cohort undergoing single-level UPPP versus UPPP with nasal and/or tongue/hypopharyngeal surgery was identified in the Truven Health Analytics MarketScan Research Databases for the years 2010 through 2012. Demographic and outcomes data were assessed at short-term (≤14 days), intermediate (15-60 days), and long-term (61-183 days) intervals via a multivariate regression model adjusted for age, sex, geographic region, insurance type, and the Charlson-Deyo comorbidity score. The primary long-term complication considered was positive airway pressure (PAP) equipment supply, implying possible treatment failure. Results The cohort included 14,633 patients: 7559 (51.6%), UPPP alone; 5219 (35.7%), UPPP + nasal surgery; 1164 (7.95%), UPPP + tongue/hypopharyngeal surgery; and 691 (4.7%), UPPP + nasal + tongue/hypopharyngeal surgery. Demographic data were similar among the groups. UPPP alone had lower rates of postoperative bleeding than UPPP + tongue/hypopharyngeal surgery (4.31% vs 6.19%, P = .004). Multivariate modeling indicated that the addition of either nasal surgery (odds ratio = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.10-1.34, P < .001) or tongue/hypopharyngeal surgery (odds ratio = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.00-1.32, P = .048) to UPPP was associated with increased odds of postoperative continuous positive airway pressure. Conclusions UPPP alone is currently the predominant form of sleep surgery in the United States. Multilevel surgery had greater odds of postoperative bleeding and positive airway pressure equipment supply than UPPP alone. Dedicated studies formally evaluating single- versus multilevel sleep surgery and the impact of possible surgeon/patient selection bias should be a priority.

Airflow Shape Is Associated With the Pharyngeal Structure Causing OSA.

BACKGROUND: OSA results from the collapse of different pharyngeal structures (soft palate, tongue, lateral walls, and epiglottis). The structure involved in collapse has been shown to impact non-CPAP OSA treatment. Different inspiratory airflow shapes are also observed among patients with OSA. We hypothesized that inspiratory flow shape reflects the underlying pharyngeal structure involved in airway collapse. METHODS: Subjects with OSA were studied with a pediatric endoscope and simultaneous nasal flow and pharyngeal pressure recordings during natural sleep. The mechanism causing collapse was classified as tongue-related, isolated palatal, lateral walls, or epiglottis. Flow shape was classified according to the degree of negative effort dependence (NED), defined as the percent reduction in inspiratory flow from peak to plateau. RESULTS: Thirty-one subjects with OSA (mean apnea-hypopnea index score ± SD, 54 ± 27 events/h) who were 50 ± 9 years of age were studied. NED was associated with the structure causing collapse (P < .001). Tongue-related obstruction (n = 13) was associated with a small amount of NED (median, 19; interquartile range [IQR], 14%-25%). Moderate NED was found among subjects with isolated palatal collapse (median, 45; IQR, 39%-52%; n = 8) and lateral wall collapse (median, 50; IQR, 44%-64%; n = 8). The epiglottis was associated with severe NED (median, 89; IQR, 78%-91%) and abrupt discontinuities in inspiratory flow (n = 9). CONCLUSIONS: Inspiratory flow shape is influenced by the pharyngeal structure causing collapse. Flow shape analysis may be used as a noninvasive tool to help determine the pharyngeal structure causing collapse.

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy.

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) is an upper airway evaluation technique in which fiberoptic examination is performed under conditions of unconscious sedation. Unique information obtained from this 3-dimensional examination of the airway potentially provides additive benefits to other evaluation methods to guide treatment selection. This article presents recommendations regarding DISE technique and the VOTE Classification system for reporting DISE findings and reviews the evidence concerning DISE test characteristics and the association between DISE findings and treatment outcomes.

Incidence of serious complications after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.

OBJECTIVES: Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is the most common surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Anatomic and physiologic abnormalities associated with OSA can make perioperative management difficult. Only single-site case series provide current estimates of the incidence of perioperative complications, with a pooled crude serious complication rate of 3.5% and a crude mortality rate of 0.4%. The primary objective of this study was to calculate the incidence of perioperative morbidity and mortality in a large, multisite cohort of UPPP patients. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study of adults undergoing inpatient UPPP with or without other concurrent procedures METHODS: The serious complication and 30-day mortality rates were calculated from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database of prospectively collected outcomes of all VA inpatient surgeries nationally 1991 to 2001. Serious complications were defined by 15 specific life-threatening complications. Deaths were captured whether the patient was in the hospital or discharged. RESULTS: Veteran patients (n = 3130) had a mean age of 50 years and were predominantly male (97%). The serious nonfatal complication rate was 1.5% (47/3,130) (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1%, 1.9%). The 30-day mortality rate was 0.2% (7/3130) (95% CI 0.1%, 0.4%). There was no significant effect of year of surgery or patient age on the risk of serious complication or death. CONCLUSION: The incidence of serious nonfatal complications and 30-day mortality after UPPP are 1.5% and 0.2%, respectively, in a large cohort of UPPP patients at veteran hospitals.

Observer variation in drug-induced sleep endoscopy: experienced versus nonexperienced ear, nose, and throat surgeons.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine variations in interobserver and intraobserver agreement of drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) in a cohort of experienced versus nonexperienced ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeons. DESIGN: Prospective, blinded agreement study. SETTING: Ninety-seven ENT surgeons (90 nonexperienced with DISE; seven experienced) observed six different DISE videos and were asked to score the upper airway (UA) level (palate, oropharynx, tongue base, hypopharynx, epiglottis), direction (anteroposterior, concentric, lateral), and degree of collapse (none; partial or complete collapse). Findings were collected and analyzed, determining interobserver and intraobserver agreement [overall agreement (OA), specific agreement (SA)] and kappa values per UA level. MEASUREMENT AND RESULTS: In the nonexperienced group, overall interobserver agreement on presence of tongue base collapse (OA = 0.63; kappa = 0.33) was followed by the agreement on epiglottis (OA = 0.57; kappa = 0.23) and oropharynx collapse (OA = 0.45; kappa = 0.09). Low overall interobserver agreement in this group was found for hypopharyngeal collapse (OA = 0.33; kappa = 0.08). A similar ranking was found for degree of collapse. For direction of collapse, high interobserver agreement was found for the palate (OA = 0.57; kappa = 0.16). Among the experienced observers, overall interobserver agreement was highest for presence of tongue base collapse (OA = 0.93; kappa = 0.71), followed by collapse of the palate (OA = 0.80; kappa = 0.51). In this group, lowest agreement was also found for hypopharyngeal collapse (OA = 0.47; kappa = 0.03). Interob-server agreement on direction of collapse was highest for epiglottis collapse (OA = 0.97; kappa = 0.97). Concerning the degree of collapse, highest agreement was found for degree of oropharyngeal collapse (OA = 0.82; kappa = 0.66). Among the experienced observers a statistically significant higher interobserver agreement was obtained for presence, direction, and degree of oropharyngeal collapse, as well as for presence of tongue base collapse and degree of epiglottis collapse. Among the nonexperienced observers, high intraobserver agreement was found in particular for tongue base and epiglottis collapse. Among the experienced observers, high agreement was found for all levels but to a lesser extent for hypopharyngeal collapse. Intraobserver agreement was statistically significantly higher in the experienced group, for all UA levels expect for the hypopharynx. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that both interobserver and intraobserver agreement was higher in experienced versus nonexperienced ENT surgeons. Agreement ranged from poor to excellent in both groups. The current results suggest that experience in performing DISE is necessary to obtain reliable observations.

Hypoglossal nerve stimulation and airway changes under fluoroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the changes in the anteroposterior dimensions of both the retropalatal and retrolingual airway spaces of the pharynx and hyoid bone position during hypoglossal nerve stimulation under general anesthesia in subjects with obstructive sleep apnea. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Academic center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Cross-table fluoroscopic images obtained during hypoglossal nerve stimulation were studied in 26 subjects enrolled in the Apnex Medical Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation (HGNS) system feasibility trials. Changes in the anteroposterior dimensions (2-dimensional) of the retropalatal and retrolingual airway spaces and hyoid bone position were recorded. Measurements were estimated in millimeters and standardized to each subject's C3 vertebral height. Opening of the pharyngeal airspace was examined relative to body mass index. RESULTS: During hypoglossal nerve stimulation, all subjects demonstrated anterior displacement of the tongue base on fluoroscopy. The average retrolingual airway opening was 0.71 ± 0.23 C3 vertebral body heights (9 ± 3 mm). Opening of the retropalatal airway with stimulation occurred in 65% (15/23) of subjects. When present, the average opening was 0.42 ± 0.14 vertebral heights (5 ± 3 mm). Anterior displacement of the hyoid occurred in 92% (23/25) of subjects. Retrolingual airway opening was independent of baseline body mass index. CONCLUSION: Unilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulation results in anterior tongue base displacement and an increase in the anterior-posterior retrolingual airway dimensions of the pharynx, independent of body mass index. Opening of the retropalatal airway occurred in a majority of subjects and had a trend toward correlation with body mass index.

Comparison of drug-induced sleep endoscopy and lateral cephalometry in obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate the association between findings from drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) and lateral cephalometry in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHODS: This was a consecutive series of subjects with OSA who underwent DISE and lateral cephalometry. DISE findings were characterized according to the region/degree of obstruction as well as the VOTE classification (velum, oropharyngeal lateral walls, tongue, and epiglottis). The primary measurements from lateral cephalometry images were sella-nasion-point A angle, sella-nasion-point B angle, distance from the posterior nasal spine-tip of palate, posterior airway space, and mandibular plane to hyoid (MPH) distance, although additional airway measurements were taken. Descriptive statistics summarized DISE and lateral cephalometry findings, and χ(2) and t tests examined potential associations between their findings. RESULTS: Among the 55 subjects, most demonstrated velum-related obstruction, although obstruction related to other structures was also common. Lateral cephalometry findings were within population norms with the exception of an increased MPH and decreased airway 4 and airway 5 measurements. There was little association between DISE and lateral cephalometry findings, although significant associations were identified between tongue-related obstruction and airway measurements posterior to the tongue base. CONCLUSIONS: DISE and lateral cephalometry are largely distinct airway evaluation techniques in OSA. The use of these techniques remains complementary.

Nonresponders to pharyngeal surgery for obstructive sleep apnea: insights from drug-induced sleep endoscopy.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To examine drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) findings in nonresponders to previous pharyngeal obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHODS: DISE using propofol for unconscious sedation was performed in nonresponders to previous OSA surgery (including palate surgery with or without tonsillectomy and possible other procedures). Nonresponders were defined as subjects with a postoperative apnea-hypopnea index more than 10 events/hr. Recorded findings from DISE included the presence and degree of obstruction in the palatal and hypopharyngeal regions, the contributions of specific structures (velum, oropharyngeal lateral walls, tongue, and/or epiglottis) to upper airway obstruction, and the degree of mouth opening. RESULTS: Thirty-three nonresponders underwent DISE examinations. Age was 46.2 ± 11.8 years, and 9% (3 of 33) were female. On diagnostic sleep studies prior to DISE, the apnea-hypopnea index was 43.4 ± 26.6 events/hr. During DISE, a majority of subjects demonstrated residual palatal obstruction, and almost all demonstrated hypopharyngeal obstruction. A diversity of individual structures contributed to upper airway obstruction, often in combination. Moderate to severe mouth opening occurred in one-third of subjects and was associated with narrowing of upper airway dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: Residual upper airway obstruction in surgery nonresponders likely occurs due to multiple mechanisms, and DISE may enhance the understanding of them.

Obstructive sleep apnea surgery practice patterns in the United States: 2000 to 2006.

OBJECTIVE: To determine obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) surgical volume, types, costs, and trends. To explore whether specific patient and hospital characteristics are associated with the performance of isolated palate versus hypopharyngeal surgery and with costs. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Inpatient and outpatient medical facilities in the United States. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: OSA procedures were identified in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample for 2000, 2004, and 2006 and from State Ambulatory Surgery Databases and State Inpatient Databases for 2006 from four representative states (California, New York, North Carolina, and Wisconsin). National combined inpatient and outpatient surgery estimates for 2006 were generated using a combination of databases. Chi-square and regression analysis examined procedure volume and type and inpatient procedure costs. RESULTS: In 2006, an estimated 35,263 surgeries were performed in inpatient and outpatient settings, including 33,087 palate, 6561 hypopharyngeal, and 1378 maxillomandibular advancement procedures. The odds of undergoing isolated palate surgery were higher for younger (18-39 yrs) and black patients. Outpatient procedures were more common than inpatient procedures. Inpatient surgical volume declined from 2000 to 2006, but it was not possible to evaluate trends in total volumes. In 2006, mean costs were approximately $6000 per admission. For inpatient procedures in 2004 and 2006, costs were higher for hypopharyngeal (vs isolated palate) surgery, in rural hospitals, and for patients who were younger, with greater medical comorbidity, and with primary Medicaid coverage. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment is performed in 0.2 percent of all adults with OSA annually. Validation of the exploratory findings concerning procedure type and cost requires additional studies, ideally including adjustment for clinical factors.

Efficacy of small reconstruction plates in vascularized bone graft mandibular reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Utilization of vascularized bone grafts rigidly fixated with titanium reconstruction plates is the method of choice for reconstruction of segmental mandibular defects. We hypothesized that the use of the newer 2.0-mm locking reconstruction plate (LRP) is not associated with higher rates of complications when compared with larger, previously used plating systems. METHODS: A retrospective case series of 184 patients undergoing 185 vascularized bone graft reconstruction procedures of the mandible was conducted. RESULTS: There were 37 plate complications. There was no significant difference in complication rates for the 2 most used plate types (14.5% with the 2.0-mm LRP and 22.2% with the 2.4-mm LRP). CONCLUSIONS: Use of the smaller 2.0-mm LRP was not associated with an increase in the complications of plate fracture, exposure, infection, or nonunion. Because of its lower profile and ease of application, the 2.0-mm LRP is our plate of choice for mandibular reconstruction.