Sound frequency spectra of snore in relation to the site of obstruction among snorers.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the sound frequency of snoring in relation to the site of upper airway vibration among snorers. METHODS: 383 snores from 40 participants who complained of snoring were digitally recorded during natural and induced sleep using a level III polysomnography monitor with a built-in microphone. During drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE), the real-time site of upper airway obstruction was assessed, and the sound frequency of snoring was recorded synchronously. RESULTS: The mean peak of snoring frequency for unilevel palatal, oropharynx and epiglottis obstruction were 522.5, 482.4 and 300.0 Hz, respectively. Most participants showed multilevel obstruction at the palate and oropharynx, in which the mean for bi-peak snoring frequency were 402.90 Hz and 1086.96 Hz, respectively. Severity of OSA was significantly associated with multilevel obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant association between the snoring sound frequency and site of unilevel obstruction. Palatal or oropharyngeal obstruction produced sound at mid-frequency range, while the epiglottis produced a low frequency range. Multilevel obstruction documented a bi-peak snoring frequency.

Chest tube entrapment: a simple solution for technical error.

Unrecognized chest tube entrapment by surgical closure is a technical error. We present a rare case of chest tube entrapment that was successfully treated with a simple and safe solution in an elderly man after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We visualized the suture using a small endoscope through the chest tube and incised it with the help of thoracoscopic scissors. The tube was then removed without the need for surgical exploration.