Sleep apnea patients with epiglottic collapse elevate their larynx more with swallowing; videofluoroscopic swallowing study of 80 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The epiglottis plays an integral role in the swallowing mechanism and is also implicated as an obstruction site in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The underlying causes of epiglottic collapse during sleep remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the cognitive functions using the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) and the neurophysiological and anatomical factors using videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS). We compared patients with OSA exhibiting epiglottic collapse to those without, assessing differences in anatomical or neurophysiological characteristics. METHODS: The study included 12 patients with epiglottic collapse (Epi-group) and 68 without (non-Epi group), all undergoing overnight polysomnography (PSG), drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE), LOTCA, and VFSS. Oral transit time (OTT), pharyngeal delay time (PDT), and pharyngeal transit time (PTT) were considered as neurophysiological traits, and laryngeal elevation length (LE) as anatomical trait, and were measured across various test diets (10 ml of liquid, soft, or solid). RESULTS: The study comprised 80 individuals, 57 men and 23 women, with no significant age, sex, body mass index or PSG parameters between groups, or DISE findings, with the exception of epiglottic collapse. Swallowing metrics from VFSS were normal, with no differences in OTT, PDT, PTT, or LOTCA scores. Notably, patients with epiglottic collapse showed a greater laryngeal elevation when swallowing soft and solid foods (p = 0.025 and p = 0.048, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with epiglottic collapse do not exhibit neurophysiological or cognitive impairments when compared to non-Epi group. However, the Epi-group displayed a significantly increased laryngeal elevation length. This suggests that anatomical factors may have a more substantial role in the development of epiglottic collapse than neurophysiological factors.

Sleep Apnea Physiological Burdens and Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality.

Rationale: Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by frequent reductions in ventilation, leading to oxygen desaturations and/or arousals. Objectives: In this study, association of hypoxic burden with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) was examined and compared with that of "ventilatory burden" and "arousal burden." Finally, we assessed the extent to which the ventilatory burden, visceral obesity, and lung function explain variations in hypoxic burden. Methods: Hypoxic, ventilatory, and arousal burdens were measured from baseline polysomnograms in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) and the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) studies. Ventilatory burden was defined as event-specific area under ventilation signal (mean normalized, area under the mean), and arousal burden was defined as the normalized cumulative duration of all arousals. The adjusted hazard ratios for incident CVD and mortality were calculated. Exploratory analyses quantified contributions to hypoxic burden of ventilatory burden, baseline oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry, visceral obesity, and spirometry parameters. Measurements and Main Results: Hypoxic and ventilatory burdens were significantly associated with incident CVD (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] per 1 SD increase in hypoxic burden: MESA, 1.45 [1.14, 1.84]; MrOS, 1.13 [1.02, 1.26]; ventilatory burden: MESA, 1.38 [1.11, 1.72]; MrOS, 1.12 [1.01, 1.25]), whereas arousal burden was not. Similar associations with mortality were also observed. Finally, 78% of variation in hypoxic burden was explained by ventilatory burden, whereas other factors explained only <2% of variation. Conclusions: Hypoxic and ventilatory burden predicted CVD morbidity and mortality in two population-based studies. Hypoxic burden is minimally affected by measures of adiposity and captures the risk attributable to ventilatory burden of obstructive sleep apnea rather than a tendency to desaturate.

Clinical Practice Guideline: Clinical Efficacy of Nasal Surgery in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder characterized by upper airway obstruction during sleep. To reduce the morbidity of OSA, sleep specialists have explored various methods of managing the condition, including manifold positive airway pressure (PAP) techniques and surgical procedures. Nasal obstruction can cause significant discomfort during sleep, and it is likely that improving nasal obstruction would enhance the quality of life and PAP compliance of OSA patients. Many reliable studies have offered evidence to support this assumption. However, few comprehensive guidelines for managing OSA through nasal surgery encompass all this evidence. In order to address this gap, the Korean Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (KORL-HNS) and the Korean Society of Sleep and Breathing designated a guideline development group (GDG) to develop recommendations for nasal surgery in OSA patients. Several databases, including OVID Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed, were searched to identify all relevant papers using a predefined search strategy. The types of nasal surgery included septoplasty, turbinate surgery, nasal valve surgery, septorhinoplasty, and endoscopic sinus surgery. When insufficient evidence was found, the GDG sought expert opinions and attempted to fill the evidence gap. Evidence-based recommendations for practice were ranked according to the American College of Physicians' grading system. The GDG developed 10 key action statements with supporting text to support them. Three statements are ranked as strong recommendations, three are only recommendations, and four can be considered options. The GDG hopes that this clinical practice guideline will help physicians make optimal decisions when caring for OSA patients. Conversely, the statements in this guideline are not intended to limit or restrict physicians' care based on their experience and assessment of individual patients.

The Function of Cochlear Implant After Cardioversion in a Patient With Atrial Flutter: A Case Report.

Hearing loss in older people can cause communication impairments, decreased quality of life, social isolation, depression, and dementia. Cochlear implant surgery is an effective treatment for older patients with hearing loss who cannot achieve satisfactory audiologic outcomes with hearing aids. However, older people have an increased risk of heart disease and often take medications that affect heart rhythm. Herein, we report a case of an 80-year-old woman who underwent cardioversion at 50J after cochlear implant surgery. Electrical impedance before and after cardioversion showed only minor changes without abnormality, and the cochlear implant functioned well. We believe that the electronic circuits of the cochlear implant may have been relatively tolerant to the electrical shock from the external defibrillator. Typically, cardioversion should be avoided in cochlear implant recipients because it may damage the implant. If cardioversion cannot be avoided, we strongly recommend starting cardioversion at the lowest energy level (50 J) and removing the sound processor of the implant during the procedure.

Patients with Epiglottic Collapse Are Less Adherent to Autotitrating Positive Airway Pressure Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Rationale: The anatomic orientation of the epiglottis is such that it points in the opposite direction to inspiratory flow, thereby potentially making positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment challenging in patients with epiglottic collapse. However, no previous studies have analyzed PAP adherence in these patients. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze adherence to autotitrating PAP (APAP) treatment in patients with epiglottic collapse. Methods: We performed an age- and sex-matched case-control study. On the basis of their overnight level-I polysomnogram, patients were prescribed APAP in a tertiary hospital between July 2018 and March 2019. The site of airway collapse was diagnosed with drug-induced sleep endoscopy. Demographic factors, sleep questionnaire, polysomnography, and APAP usage statistics were analyzed. Results: Eighteen patients with epiglottic collapse (epi-group) and 36 without epiglottic collapse (control group) were analyzed. We found that 22.8% of patients in the epi-group terminated APAP within 2 weeks, whereas only 2.8% of patients in the control group terminated APAP within 2 weeks (P = 0.048). The percentage of days with usage over 4 hours was significantly lower in the epi-group (64.6% vs. 75.6%; P = 0.008). In addition, the adherence failure rate was 66.7% in the epi-group and 33.3% in the control group (P = 0.039). Patients with epiglottic collapse were also found to have lower body mass index, which is an unfavorable predictor of APAP adherence. Conclusions: This study suggests that patients with epiglottic collapse have a higher APAP adherence failure rate than patients without epiglottic collapse. Thus, patients with epiglottic collapse should be followed closely during treatment, and alternative therapies should probably be considered for these patients.

Effect of Pimavanserin on the Respiratory Arousal Threshold from Sleep: A Randomized Trial.

Rationale: A low respiratory arousal threshold is a key endotype responsible for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) pathogenesis. Pimavanserin is an antiserotoninergic capable of suppressing CO2-mediated arousals without affecting the respiratory motor response in animal models, and thus it holds potential for increasing the arousal threshold in OSA and subsequently reducing OSA severity. Objectives: We measured the effect of pimavanserin on arousal threshold (primary outcome), OSA severity, arousal index, and other OSA endotypes (secondary outcomes). Methods: A total of 18 OSA participants were studied in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Patients received a single dose of placebo or pimavanserin 34 mg 4 hours before in-lab polysomnography. Airflow was measured with an oronasal mask attached to a pneumotachograph, and ventilatory drive was recorded with an intraesophageal electromyography catheter. Results are presented as mean or median changes (Δ) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Pimavanserin did not increase the arousal threshold, nor did it decrease OSA severity or arousal index. It, however, prolonged total sleep time (Δ[confidence interval (CI)], 39.5 [95%CI, -1.2 to 80.1] min). In an exploratory analysis, a subgroup of seven patients who had a 10% or more increase in arousal threshold on pimavanserin exhibited a decrease in AHI4 (hypopneas associated with 4% desaturation) (Δ[CI], 5.6 [95%CI, 3.6-11.1] events/h) and hypoxic burden (Δ[CI], 22.3 [95%CI, 6.6-32.3] %min/h). Conclusions: A single dose of pimavanserin did not have a significant effect on arousal threshold or OSA severity. However, in a post hoc analysis, a subset of patients who exhibited an increase in arousal threshold on pimavanserin showed a small decrease in OSA severity. Thus, if the arousal threshold could be increased with pimavanserin, perhaps with longer dosing to reach higher drug blood concentrations, then the desired effect on OSA severity might be achievable. Clinical trial registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04538755).

Atomoxetine and fesoterodine combination improves obstructive sleep apnoea severity in patients with milder upper airway collapsibility.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The combination of the noradrenergic atomoxetine plus the anti-muscarinic oxybutynin acutely increased genioglossus activity and reduced obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) severity. However, oxybutynin has shorter half-life than atomoxetine and side effects that might discourage long-term usage. Accordingly, we aimed to test the combination of atomoxetine and fesoterodine (Ato-Feso), a newer anti-muscarinic with extended release formulation, on OSA severity and endotypes. METHODS: Twelve subjects with OSA underwent a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial comparing one night of atomoxetine plus fesoterodine (80-4 mg) to placebo. Parameters of OSA severity (e.g., apnoea-hypopnoea index [AHI], nadir oxygen desaturation and hypoxic burden) were calculated from two clinical, in-lab polysomnographic studies. OSA endotypes (including collapsibility per VMIN and arousal threshold) were derived from validated algorithms. RESULTS: Compared to placebo, Ato-Feso did not reduce the AHI (34.2 ± 19.1 vs. 30.1 ± 28.2 events/h, p = 0.493), but reduced the apnoea index (12.9 [28.8] vs. 1.8 [9.1] events/h, median [interquartile range], p = 0.027) and increased nadir desaturation (76.8 [8.0] vs. 82.2 [8.8] %, p = 0.003); a non-significant trend for improved hypoxic burden was observed (52.4 [50.5] vs. 29.7 [78.9] %min/h, p = 0.093). Ato-Feso lowered collapsibility (raised VMIN ; 43.7 [29.8-55.7] vs. 56.8 [43.8-69.8] %VEUPNOEA , mean [CI], p = 0.002), but reduced the arousal threshold (129.3 [120.1-138.6] vs. 116.7 [107.5-126] %VEUPNOEA , p = 0.038). In post hoc analysis, 6/6 patients with milder collapsibility (VMIN > 43%) exhibited OSA resolution (drop in AHI > 50% and residual AHI < 10 events/h) and improved hypoxaemia. CONCLUSION: While inefficacious in unselected patients, Ato-Feso administered for one night suppressed OSA in patients with milder collapsibility. Ato-Feso may hold some promise as an alternative OSA treatment in certain subgroups of individuals.

Head rotation improves airway obstruction, especially in patients with less severe obstructive sleep apnea without oropharyngeal collapse.

PURPOSE: Head rotation is thought to have an effect on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity. However, keeping the head rotated fully during sleep is difficult to maintain, and the effect of head rotation is not the same in all OSA patients. Thus, this study aimed to identify whether less head rotation has an effect on airway patency and determine the responder characteristics to the head rotation maneuver (HRM). METHODS: We recruited 221 patients who underwent overnight polysomnography and drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) in a tertiary hospital from June 2019 to July 2020. Airway patency and the site of airway collapse were determined in the supine position with the head at 0, 30, and 60 degrees of rotation (HRM0°, HRM30°, and HRM60°, respectively) during DISE. The site of collapse was determined using the VOTE classification system: the velum (palate), oropharyngeal lateral walls, tongue base, and epiglottis. Each structure was labeled as 0, 1, or 2 (patent, partially obstructed, and completely obstructed, respectively). Airway response to the HRM30° and 60° and the clinical characteristics associated with airway opening were analyzed. RESULTS: The study population had a median age of 52 (25-61) years, a body mass index of 26.7(24.6-29.4) kg/m2, and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 28.2(13.7-71.9) events/h. HRM influenced airway patency positively not only with HRM60° (p<0.001) but also following limited rotation (HRM30°, p<0.001). Patients with tongue base (40.0% with HRM 60°) and epiglottic (52.6% with HRM 60°) collapse responded particularly well to HRM. Multivariate analysis revealed that lower AHI (p<0.001) and an absence of oropharyngeal lateral walls collapse (p = 0.011) were significant predictors of responders to HRM. CONCLUSION: Head rotation improved airway obstruction in OSA patients, even with a small degree of rotation, and should be further explored as a potential form of therapy in appropriately selected patients.

Clinical Practice Guideline: Nasal Irrigation for Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Adults.

The Korean Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Korean Rhinologic Society appointed a guideline development group (GDG) to establish a clinical practice guideline, and the GDG developed a guideline for nasal irrigation for adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The guideline focuses on knowledge gaps, practice variations, and clinical concerns associated with nasal irrigation. Nasal irrigation has been recommended as the first-line treatment for CRS in various guidelines, and its clinical effectiveness has been demonstrated through a number of studies with robust evidence. However, no guidelines have presented a consistent nasal irrigation method. Several databases, including OVID Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed, were searched to identify all relevant papers using a predefined search strategy. When insufficient evidence was found, the GDG sought expert opinions and attempted to fill the evidence gap. Evidence-based recommendations for practice were ranked according to the American College of Physicians grading system. The committee developed 11 evidence-based recommendations. This guideline focuses on the evidence-based quality improvement opportunities deemed the most important by the GDG. Moreover, the guideline addresses whether nasal lavage helps treat CRS, what type of rinsing solution should be used, and the effectiveness of using additional medications to increase the therapeutic effect.

Endoscopic Surgery of Congenital Cholesteatoma in the Anterior Epitympanic Recess: A Case Report of a Rare Location.

Congenital cholesteatoma is a whitish mass in the middle ear medial to an intact tympanic membrane. It is often without symptoms and therefore incidentally diagnosed. Pediatric congenital cholesteatoma generally starts as a small pearl-like mass in the middle ear cavity that eventually expands to involve the ossicles, epitympanum, and mastoid. The location, size, histopathological type, and extent of the mass must be evaluated to select the appropriate surgical method. Although microscopic ear surgery has traditionally been performed to remove congenital cholesteatoma, a recently introduced alternative is endoscopic surgery, which allows a minimally invasive approach and has better visualization. Here, we report the first known case of a patient with congenital cholesteatoma in the anterior epitympanic recess and discuss the utility of an endoscopic approach in the removal of a congenital cholesteatoma in the hidden area within the middle ear.

Surgical results of tympanoplasty after conversion to the endoscopic approach performed by a surgeon experienced in microscopic surgery.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the surgical outcomes of endoscopic tympanoplasty (ET) type I, and to investigate the learning curve of ET type I in a surgeon experienced in microscopic surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively studied patients with tympanic membrane perforations who had undergone ET type I from January 2015 to June 2020. All procedures were performed by a single senior surgeon with considerable microscopic experience. We compared the perforation closure rate in relation to age, previous ear surgery history, graft material, size, and location of perforation. We compared the operation time according to the number of operated patients. RESULTS: A total of 399 patients were enrolled. The success rate of ET type I was 92.7%. Age, prior ear surgery, graft material, size, and location of perforation did not influence the surgical outcomes. The surgical time for the initial ten cases was the longest (78.3 min), and stabilized after the first 100 cases to under 60 min. The surgical success rate was 96.0% in the first 50 cases, and decreased to approximately 92% afterwards. CONCLUSION: The surgical time largely decreased with the number of operated patients. Since the operations were performed by a surgeon experienced in microscopy, the success rate of initial cases was not low, even though the operation time of these initial cases was longer. We believe that endoscope provides a new perspective on ear surgery if it could overcome the difficulties in the early stage.

Surgical results and factors affecting outcome in patients with fat-graft myringoplasty.

Objectives: We evaluated the closure rate after fat-graft myringoplasty (FGM) of perforations differing in size and location. We explored whether patient's factors and the FGM surgical technique influenced surgical outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively studied patients with tympanic membrane perforations who underwent FGM from March 2015 to March 2019. All procedures were performed by a single senior surgeon at our tertiary hospital. The patients who followed-up for at least 6 months after surgery were enrolled. We recorded hypertension and diabetes status, age, any prior ear surgery, any calcific plaques adjacent to the perforation, and perforation size and location. Results: A total of 150 patients were enrolled. Our success rate of FGM was 90%. Hypertension, diabetes, prior ear surgery history, and eardrum calcific plaques did not affect the surgical outcomes. There was no statistical difference in the surgical success rate according to the size (< 50%) or location of perforation. The closure rate was 97.2% in patients aged 1660 and 87.5% in patients aged > 60, respectively. However, FGM was successful in only two of six children (33.3%) aged ≤ 15 years, thus significantly less than in the other groups. Conclusion: FGM is a fast, safe, and efficient method for repairing tympanic membrane perforation. The surgical outcome is not significantly affected by underlying disease, perforation size or location, or by the condition of the tympanic membrane or older age. However, it may be poor in children with dysfunctional Eustachian tube.

A subglottic foreign body mimicking croup: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Foreign body (FB) aspiration is one of the causes of respiratory distress in infants is an extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening event. The diagnosis of FB aspiration is difficult because the signs and symptoms vary according to the degree of airway blockage or location of the FB. PATIENT CONCERNS: An 11-month-old female infant visited a hospital because of a sudden onset cough. She was relatively healthy without fever, rhinorrhea cyanosis, or poor feeding. On physical examination, auscultation revealed inspiratory stridor without wheezing and crackles. DIAGNOSIS: Croup was suspected when considering the history, physical examination, and imaging. However, she did not respond to a 4-day course of treatment for croup. Flexible laryngoscopic examination was performed, and we identified a thin, flat, and sharp FB embedded in the subglottic region. INTERVENTIONS: Emergency surgery was performed to remove the FB. Short-term intravenous corticosteroids and antibiotics were used to prevent laryngeal swelling and aspiration pneumonia. OUTCOMES: One week after the procedure, the laryngeal mucosa had completely healed. CONCLUSION: FB aspiration should be considered in an infant with an impression of croup. In particular, if there is no response to medical or conservative treatment for croup, further evaluation is needed.

Maxillary sinusitis developed as sequelae of accidental middle turbinectomy that occurred during nasotracheal intubation: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Nasotracheal intubation is a very useful technique for orofacial or dental surgery. However, the technique itself can be more traumatic than that of orotracheal intubation. Complications such as turbinectomy or bleeding are often reported. However, little is known about the follow-up of patients after these complications. CASE PRESENTATION: The present case describes an accidental middle turbinectomy that led to endotracheal tube obstruction during nasotracheal intubation, and discusses its long-term follow-up. A 19-year-old man underwent mandibular surgery under general anesthesia and nasotracheal intubation. His right middle turbinate was completely avulsed and became firmly occluded within the tube during nasotracheal intubation. The nasotracheal intubation was performed again and the operation was completed safely. The patient was discharged without sequelae after postoperative care. However, he had symptoms of nasal obstruction and sleep disturbance for 3 months postoperatively. Synechiae were detected between the nasal septum and lateral nasal wall on a right rhinoscopic examination and facial computed tomography at 3 months postoperatively. Additionally, he showed ipsilateral maxillary sinusitis on facial computed tomography at the 2-year follow-up examination. CONCLUSIONS: Nasotracheal intubation can cause late complications as well as early complications. Therefore, if nasotracheal intubation is to be performed, the anesthesiologist should identify the nasal anatomy of the patient accurately and prepare appropriately. In addition, if complications occur, follow-up observation should be performed.

Intralymphatic Administration of Metagonimus yokogawai-Extracted Protein Attenuates Experimental Murine Allergic Rhinitis Model.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate potential therapeutic effect of Metagonimus yokogawai on the OVA-induced allergic rhinitis model. METHODS: OVA-sensitized mice were used to assess potential therapeutic effect of the extract protein of M. yokogawai (My-TP). My-TP was administrated via the intralymphatic route to cervical lymph nodes. The frequencies of sneezing or nasal rubbing were recorded. Histopathologic evaluation was performed for eosinophil infiltrations in the tissues of the nasal mucosa and skin. The mRNA relative expressions of the cytokine profiles including Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg subsets in the nasal mucosa, cervical lymph nodes, and spleen were analyzed by quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The potential underlying mechanism was investigated by examining cytokine profiles including IL-4 and Treg subsets from lymphocytes of the spleen by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Intralymphatic injection of My-TP reduced allergic symptoms and eosinophil infiltration in the nasal mucosa. My-TP-treated group showed markedly decreased levels of OVA-specific IgE and WBC counts in nasal lavage. My-TP-treated group showed the decreased expression levels of IL-4, while those of IL-10 were increased in both the nasal mucosa. The levels of IFN-γ and IL-17 were also decreased in the nasal mucosa and cervical lymph nodes. The immunological mechanism may involve the downregulation of Th2 response and upregulation of Tregs in the nasal mucosa and cervical lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide the first evidence of potential therapeutic effect of M. yokogawai in OVA-sensitized allergic rhinitis mice, suggesting that a Treg/Th2 reorganization may play a role in clinical course of allergic rhinitis.

Patients with epiglottic collapse showed less severe obstructive sleep apnea and good response to treatment other than continuous positive airway pressure: a case-control study of 224 patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze patients with epiglottic collapse, especially their clinical characteristics related to obstructive sleep apnea and phenotype labeling using drug-induced sleep endoscopy. METHODS: An age-sex matched case-control study was conducted to compare the clinical characteristics of patients with epiglottic collapse (Epi group) and patients without epiglottic collapse (non-Epi group). All patients underwent drug-induced sleep endoscopy January, 2015, to March, 2019, in a tertiary hospital for suspected sleep apnea symptoms. Demographic factors, underlying disease, overnight polysomnography, and their phenotype labeling using drug-induced sleep endoscopy were analyzed. RESULTS: There was no difference in age, sex, the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, and coronary artery disease. However, the body mass index was significantly lower in patients in the Epi group (P < .001). Additionally, the apnea-hypopnea index was lower (P = .001), and the lowest oxygen saturation was significantly higher in the Epi group (P = .042). The phenotype labeling on drug-induced sleep endoscopy showed that the prevalence of velum concentric collapse and oropharyngeal lateral wall collapse was lower, and that of tongue-base collapse was higher in the Epi group. Multilevel obstructions were more common in the Epi group. However, the Epi group showed a good response to mandibular advancement or positional therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was no difference in the underlying characteristics and self-reported symptom scores between the groups, the patients with epiglottic collapse showed significantly lower body mass index and obstructive sleep apnea severity. Additionally, patients with epiglottic collapse were expected to respond well to oral devices or positional therapy.

Does nasal surgery improve multilevel surgical outcome in obstructive sleep apnea: A multicenter study on 735 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Does nasal surgery affect multilevel surgical success outcome. METHODS: Prospective eight country nonrandomized trial of 735 obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, who had multilevel palate and/or tongue surgery, divided into two groups, with or without nose surgery. RESULTS: There were 575 patients in nose group, 160 patients in no nose group. The mean age for nose group 44.6 ± 11.4, no nose group 44.2 ± 11.8. Mean preoperative BMI for nose group 27.5 ± 3.6, no nose group 27.5 ± 4.1, mean postoperative BMI nose group 26.3 ± 3.7, no nose group 27.1 ± 3.8 (P = .006). Mean preoperative AHI nose group 32.7 ± 19.4, no nose group 34.3 ± 25.0 (P = .377); and mean postoperative AHI nose group 13.5 ± 10.2, no nose group 17.1 ± 16.0 (P = .001). Mean preoperative ESS nose group was 11.3 ± 4.7, no nose group was 10.4 ± 5.4 (P = .051); and mean postoperative ESS nose group was 5.3 ± 3.2, no nose group was 6.7 ± 2.8 (P = .001). The nose group had higher percentage change (adjusted for age, gender, BMI) in AHI (33.7%, 95% CI 14% to 53.5%) compared to the no nose group (P = .001); the nose group also had more percentage change in ESS (37%, 95% CI 23.6% to 50.3%) compared to the no nose group (P < .001). Change in BMI did not affect AHI nor ESS change (Cohen effect 0.03 and 0.14, respectively). AHI change in both groups were also statistically significant in the mild OSA (P = .008) and the severe OSA (P = .01). Success rate of surgery for the nose group 68.2%, while the no nose group 55.0% (P = .002). CONCLUSION: Combining nose surgery in multilevel surgery improves surgical success. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IIC.

An epidermoid cyst of the uvula causing dyspnea in an infant: A case report.

RATIONALE: Congenital epidermoid cysts are benign deformities that rarely affect the uvula. A uvular epidermoid cyst is painless and slow-growing. Most such cysts are asymptomatic and rarely cause oral dysfunction. PATIENT CONCERNS: We present the case of a 10-month-old infant with dyspnea caused by a mass in the uvula. DIAGNOSIS: The patient was diagnosed with a uvular epidermoid cyst via neck soft tissue X-ray and flexible laryngoscopy. INTERVENTIONS: Emergency surgery was performed. OUTCOMES: The patient recovered immediately after the operation and was discharged 1 day later. LESSONS: In an infant with a uvula cyst, early surgical treatment may be needed to prevent symptoms, such as dyspnea, requiring emergency treatment.

Partial epiglottectomy improves residual apnea-hypopnea index in patients with epiglottis collapse.

Continuous positive airway pressure treatment aggravates airway obstruction in patients with epiglottis collapse. In these patients, partial epiglottectomy can resolve epiglottis collapse by partial excision of the obstructed epiglottis. However, patients with epiglottic collapse usually have simultaneous obstructions on multiple levels, such as the soft palate, base of the tongue, etc. Therefore, sleep apnea cannot be controlled merely by resolving epiglottis collapse. The use of additional continuous positive airway pressure treatment after partial epiglottectomy is considered essential. However, no studies have yet evaluated the effect of partial epiglottectomy on continuous positive airway pressure treatment. In this study, we report on 2 patients with obstructive sleep apnea who underwent partial epiglottectomy. These 2 patients used autotitrating positive airway pressure treatment pre- and postoperatively. The present case report will provide insight into the effects of partial epiglottectomy on the use of positive-pressure devices.