Treatment of sleep-disordered breathing with positional therapy: long-term results.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of a sleep position trainer (SPT) in patients with an established diagnosis of positional obstructive sleep apnea and to evaluate the adherence after 1-year follow-up. METHODS: Polysomnography (PSG) was performed at baseline and after 1 year of SPT use. Patients received questionnaires to assess treatment satisfaction and subjective adherence. Data on objective adherence and number of vibrations initiated by the SPT were collected from the SPT device. RESULTS: Nine out of 58 patients stopped using the SPT during the first year of treatment (16%). Thirty-four middle-aged and overweight patients underwent a PSG after 1 year of SPT use (male/female ratio, 28/6; overall apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), 16/h). A significant reduction in overall AHI to 6/h was observed using treatment (p < 0.001). The median percentage of supine sleep decreased significantly to 1% with SPT (p < 0.001). The mean objective SPT use in 28 patients was 7.3 ± 0.9 h/night and 69 ± 26% of the nights. Furthermore, 75% of the patients reported a better sleep quality since the start of SPT treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment with the SPT was found to be effective in reducing overall AHI. Time spent sleeping in supine position was reduced to almost zero in the continuing users. Patient satisfaction was high when using the SPT.

Comparison of upper airway collapse patterns and its clinical significance: drug-induced sleep endoscopy in patients without obstructive sleep apnea, positional and non-positional obstructive sleep apnea.

PURPOSE: To compare patient characteristics, upper airway (UA) collapse patterns and treatment outcome in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, including non-positional OSA patients (NPP) and positional OSA patients (PP), and non-OSA. METHODS: Cohort study of patients screened for OSA in 2012. Polysomnography was performed and UA was evaluated using the VOTE classification during drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE). Treatment outcome of MAD and UA surgery was evaluated. RESULTS: Eight hundred sixty patients were included. Higher BMI, larger neck circumference, and greater age were independent significant predictors for OSA. DISE was performed in 543 patients: 119 non-OSA and 424 OSA patients of whom 257 PP and 167 NPP patients. PP were younger, had smaller neck circumference, lower BMI and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) than NPP. Collapse at velum (p < 0.001) and oropharynx (p < 0.001) significantly increased the odds for having OSA. Tongue base and epiglottis collapse were, on group level, not determinative for OSA or non-OSA. Complete concentric collapse (CCC) was observed less frequently in PP (31.5%) as compared to NPP (46.1%). After UA surgery, OSA often was cured or improved to less severe positional OSA. Lower efficacy of UA surgery was observed in PP as compared to NPP. No differences were observed in MAD treatment outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Current study provides insight in patients screened for OSA: collapse at velum and oropharynx significantly determined presence of OSA and CCC occurred less frequently in PP compared to NPP. In addition, residual positional dependency is common after UA surgery. More trials are needed to gain insight in pathophysiology and treatment outcome.

Face and neck: airway and sensorial capacities.

Face and neck: airway and sensorial capacities. For the assessment and the management of face and neck trauma knowledge of the neuro-anatomy and physiology of the ear, nose, throat (ENT) and head and neck (HN) region and structures is essential, as this area is particularly vulnerable to injury. Indeed, the complex anatomy and physiology in this specific area supports important basic functions. In addition, this review elaborates on upper airway and sensorial capacities. Upper airway dimensions are influenced by bony and soft tissues. Age is of fundamental importance in the upper airway assessment, as significant differences in size and proportions apply in children and adults. The cranial nerves (CN) supply motor, sensory ad special sensory fibres to the upper airway. Injury of the CN is a frequent complication of trauma.