Consensus Statements among European Sleep Surgery Experts on Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Part 2 Decision-Making in Surgical Management and Peri-Operative Considerations.

Background: Reaching consensus on decision-making in surgical management and peri-operative considerations regarding snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among sleep surgeons is critical in the management of patients with such conditions, where there is a large degree of variability. Methods: A set of statements was developed based on the literature and circulated among eight panel members of European experts, utilizing the Delphi method. Responses were provided as agree and disagree on each statement, and the comments were used to assess the level of consensus and develop a revised version. The new version, with the level of consensus and anonymized comments, was sent to each panel member as the second round. This was repeated for a total of five rounds. Results: The final set included a total of 71 statements: 29 stand-alone and 11 with 42 sub-statements. On the 33 statements regarding decision-making in surgical management, there was 60.6%, 27.3%, and 6.1% consensus among all eight, seven, and six panelists, respectively. On the 38 statements regarding the peri-operative considerations, there was 55.3%, 18.4%, and 15.8% consensus among all eight, seven, and six panelists, respectively. Conclusions: These results indicate the need for an expanded review of the literature and discussion to enhance consensus among the sleep surgeons that consider surgical management in patients with snoring and OSA.

Consensus Statements among European Sleep Surgery Experts on Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Part 1 Definitions and Diagnosis.

Seeking consensus on definitions and diagnosis of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among sleep surgeons is important, particularly in this relatively new field with variability in knowledge and practices. A set of statements was developed based on the literature and circulated among eight panel members of European experts, utilizing the Delphi method. Responses in agreement and disagreement on each statement and the comments were used to assess the level of consensus and develop a revised version. The new version with the level of consensus and anonymized comments was sent to each panel member as the second round. This was repeated a total of five rounds. The total number of statements included in the initial set was 112. In the first round, of all eight panelists, the percentage of questions that had consensus among the eight, seven, and six panelists were 45%, 4.5%, and 7.1%, respectively. In the final set of statements consisting of 99, the percentage of questions that had consensus among the 8, 7, and 6 panelists went up to 66.7%, 24.2%, and 6.1%, respectively. Delphi's method demonstrated an efficient method of interaction among experts and the establishment of consensus on a specific set of statements.

HMGB1 Carried by Small Extracellular Vesicles Potentially Plays a Role in Promoting Acquired Middle Ear Cholesteatoma.

Cholesteatoma is a specific medical condition involving the abnormal, non-cancerous growth of skin-like tissue in the middle ear, potentially leading to a collection of debris and even infections. The receptor for advanced glycation (RAGE) and its ligand, high-mobility box 1 (HMGB1), are both known to be overexpressed in cholesteatoma and play a potential role in the pathogenesis of the disease. In this study, we investigated the role of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) in carrying HMGB1 and inducing disease-promoting effects in cholesteatoma. No significant differences in the concentration of isolated sEVs in the plasma of cholesteatoma patients (n = 17) and controls (n = 22) were found (p > 0.05); however, cholesteatoma-derived sEVs carried significantly higher levels of HMGB1 (p < 0.05). In comparison to sEVs isolated from the plasma of controls, cholesteatoma-derived sEVs significantly enhanced keratinocyte proliferation and IL-6 production (p < 0.05), potentially by engaging multiple activation pathways including MAPKp44/p42, STAT3, and the NF-κB pathway. Thus, HMGB1(+) sEVs emerge as a novel factor potentially promoting cholesteatoma progression.

Association between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Heart Failure in Adults-A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) patients commonly experience obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which may worsen their condition. We reviewed a diverse range of studies to investigate the prevalence of OSA in HF patients, the effects of positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment, and the potential impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and sacubitril/valsartan on OSA outcomes. METHODS: We analyzed case-control, observational studies, and randomized controlled trials. Prevalence rates, PAP treatment, and HF pharmacotherapy were assessed. RESULTS: Numerous studies revealed a high prevalence of OSA in HF patients, particularly with preserved ejection fraction. PAP treatment consistently improved an apnea-hypopnea index, left ventricular ejection fraction, oxygen saturation, and overall quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests that SGLT2i and sacubitril/valsartan might influence OSA outcomes through weight loss, improved metabolic profiles, and potential direct effects on upper airway muscles. CONCLUSIONS: The complex interplay between OSA and HF necessitates a multifaceted approach. PAP treatment has shown promising results in improving OSA symptoms and HF parameters. Additionally, recent investigations into the effects of HF pharmacotherapy on OSA suggest their potential as adjunctive therapy. This review provides insights for clinicians and researchers, highlighting the importance of addressing OSA and HF in patient management strategies.

Immunohistochemical Identification and Assessment of the Location of Immunoproteasome Subunits LMP2 and LMP7 in Acquired Cholesteatoma.

Cholesteatoma, accompanied by chronic inflammatory response, is characterized by invasive growth and osteolytic activity. As specific proteasome isoforms, the immunoproteasomes serve as an important modulator of inflammatory responses. The aim of the present study was to determine the biological activity of cholesteatoma through the analysis of the expression and localization of immunoproteasome subunits of low molecule weight protein (LMP) 2 and LMP7. Cholesteatoma specimens were obtained from 15 adults who underwent ear surgery due to acquired attic cholesteatoma. Normal skin specimens were taken from retro-auricular skin incisions from the same patients. The specimens were stained with anti-LMP7 antibody, using immunohistochemistry techniques based on the binding of biotinylated secondary antibody with the enzyme-labeled streptavidin and the Envision FLEX system. In all specimens of cholesteatoma, the immunohistochemical reaction with the antibody against the LMP2 was positive, in both the cytoplasm of the cholesteatoma matrix and the perimatrix. A negative reaction with anti-LMP2 was observed in the cytoplasm and nuclei of control skin cells. A positive nuclear and cytoplasmic immunohistochemical reaction with anti-LMP7 has been demonstrated in numerous cells, in both the matrix and perimatrix of cholesteatoma. We present evidence of the presence of expressions of LMP2 and LMP7 within cholesteatoma tissue. Our results might bring new information concerning immunoproteasome-dependent pathophysiologic mechanisms in cholesteatoma.

Investigating the Role of Serum and Plasma IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-alpha, CRP, and S100B Concentrations in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Diagnosis.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent and underdiagnosed condition associated with cardiovascular diseases, depression, accidents, and stroke. There is an increasing need for alternative diagnostic tools beyond overnight sleep studies that measure the Apnea/Hypopnea Index (AHI). In this single-center, case-control study, we evaluated serum and plasma concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, CRP, and S100B in 80 subjects, including 52 OSA patients (27 moderate [15 ≤ AHI ˂ 30], 25 severe [AHI ≥ 30]) and 28 non-OSA controls (AHI 0-5). Participants with OSA showed approximately 2 times higher median concentrations of CRP in plasma, and IL-6 in serum, as well as 1.3 to 1.7 times higher concentrations of TNF-α and IL-8 in plasma compared with the control group. Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive capabilities of these serum and plasma biomarkers in distinguishing between the OSA and control groups, revealing varying sensitivity and specificity. In summary, in this study, serum and plasma biomarkers CRP, S100B, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8 have been shown to be elevated in patients with OSA, correlated positively with disease severity, age, and BMI. These results support the potential role of these biomarkers in diagnosing OSA, supplementing traditional methods such as overnight sleep studies.

Osteoprotegerin, Chitinase 3-like Protein 1, and Cardiotrophin-1 as Potential Biomarkers of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults-A Case-Control Study.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent, underdiagnosed disease and is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, depression, accidents, and stroke. Recent clinical practice guidelines for OSA expressed the need for a new clinical tool that establishes the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) to determine the disease burden. The serum and plasma concentrations of Osteoprotegerin (OPG), Chitinase 3-like protein 1 (YKL-40), and Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) in 80 subjects-52 OSA patients, 27 moderate (15 ≤ AHI ˂ 30) and 25 severe (AHI ≥ 30), and 28 non-OSA controls (AHI 0-5)-were determined. Moreover, the Total Oxidative Status (TOS), Total Antioxidative Status (TAS), and Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) were assessed in the serum and plasma to evaluate whether the severity of OSA and the concentrations of OPG, YKL-40, and CT-1 correlate with the oxidative/reductive status. The serum and plasma concentrations of YKL-40 and CT-1 were higher in the OSA group, whereas the serum and plasma concentrations of OPG were lower compared to the control group. The concentrations of OPG, YKL-40, and CT-1 in the serum and plasma correlated with AHI; however, a better correlation of the concentrations was obtained for the above-mentioned proteins in the plasma. The concentrations of YKL-40 and CT-1 in the serum and OPG in the plasma show better diagnostic capabilities for moderate and severe OSA than the concentrations of YKL-40 and CT-1 in the plasma and the concentrations of OPG in the serum.

A Critical Analysis of Pharyngeal Patterns of Collapse in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Beyond the Endoscopic Classification Systems.

(1) Background: Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) enables the three-dimensional and dynamic visualization of the upper airway (UA) during sleep, which is useful in selecting the best treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, particularly for surgical procedures. Despite international consensus statements or position papers, a universally accepted DISE methodology and classification system remain a controversial open question. (2) Methods: A review of the English scientific literature on DISE related to endoscopic classification systems and surgical outcome predictors (3) Results: Of the 105 articles, 47 were included in the analysis based on their content's relevance to the searched keywords. (4) Conclusions: A final report and scoring classification system is not universally accepted; the most internationally applied endoscopic classification system during DISE does not cover all patterns of events that occur simultaneously during the endoscopic examination, highlighting that several configurations of collapse and obstruction at different UA levels could be observed during DISE, which should be described in detail if DISE has to be considered in the decision-making process for the UA surgical treatment in OSA patients and if DISE has to have a role as a predictive factor for surgical outcomes analysis.

A Case-Control Study on the Changes in High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Levels with Surgical Treatment of OSAS.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a common but underdiagnosed condition with significant health and economic implications for society. Inflammatory mediators are proposed to be associated with the presence and severity of OSAS and contribute to morbidity and mortality. This paper details a prospective non-randomized case control study of a cohort of subjects, who underwent surgical treatment of OSAS and were enrolled to assess the sleep parameters and blood levels of selected inflammatory markers at pre-operative and post-operative time points, also comparing them to the levels in a control group. A total of 25 study subjects and 18 control subjects were enrolled. Median values and interquartile range (IQR) of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in the study group pre-operatively and post-operatively were 34 (18.5-45.5) and 13.3 (7.5-27.3), while in the control group 1.4 (1.0-2.1) per hour. The mean (IQR) hs-CRP levels (mg/L) were 1.782 (0.941-5.594) and 1.980 (0.990-5.445) in the study group, pre-operatively and post-operatively, respectively, while 0.891 (0.767-1.436) in the control group. The mean (IQR) TNF-α levels (pg/mL) were 7.999 (6.137-9.216) and 6.614 (5.534-7.460) pre-and post-operatively, respectively, and were 6.000 (5.026-6.823) in the control group. Results demonstrated that both inflammatory markers, hs-CRP and TNF-α, are higher in subjects with OSAS compared to the controls, and their levels decrease, but are still higher than the controls, after successful surgical treatment. Further analysis including the body mass index and age demonstrated that these changes were significant for TNF-α, but not hs-CRP.

Long-term outcomes of pharyngoplasty for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

Introduction: Pharyngoplasty techniques for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) have evolved, which improved the understanding of the anatomy, patient selection, and adoption of functional approaches. Aim: To analyze long-term results of pharyngoplasty in OSAS patients. Material and methods: Between 2007 and 2021, a total of 234 adult patients with OSAS who had previously failed positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy underwent sleep surgery. Of this group, 75 patients met the criteria of a minimum 5-year follow-up. To date, 25 patients completed the follow-up study protocol, including the medical history, visual analog scale (VAS) for snoring loudness, body mass index (BMI), endoscopy of the upper airways, type III sleep study, and standardized questionnaires including Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and EQ-5D-5L Euro - Quality of Life Questionnaire. Results: The average period of follow-up was 96.80 ± 30.20 months. The mean age of participants was 54.6 ± 14.02 and the mean BMI 30.28 ± 2.74. Patients underwent uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (n = 21) and expansion sphincterpharyngoplasty (n = 4) between 2008-2015. A long-term improvement in sleep parameters was observed for the mean AHI (29.84 ± 20.06before and 19.45 ± 18.53 after surgery, p = 0.0294), and the median VAS (8.13 before and 3.78 after surgery), mean oxygen saturation during sleep 94,5% (IQR 93.0-95.25), and the median ESS score was 6.17 ± 4.57. The majority of patients reported subjective long-term improvement in sleep quality and a reduction of snoring. Conclusions: In OSAS patients who failed PAP therapy, pharyngoplasty may provide a long-term improvement in upper airway obstruction during sleep.

Potential Diagnostic and Monitoring Biomarkers of Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent, underdiagnosed disease that imposes a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of patients and a financial burden on individuals, their families, and society. Development of new methods of testing other than an overnight sleep study, such as measurement of serum or plasma biomarkers, may provide an easier diagnostic process to identify patients with OSA and allow earlier initiation of treatment, which might prevent serious comorbidities. We conducted a systematic review and quality assessment of available meta-analyses regarding potential diagnostic and monitoring biomarkers of obstructive sleep apnea. A total of 14 sets of candidate biomarkers displayed differences in levels or concentrations in OSA patients compared to non-OSA controls, and decreased after OSA treatment: CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, Il-8, HCY, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, VEGF, TC, LDLc, HDLc, TG, leptin, MDA, ALT, AST, IGF-1, adiponectin, and cortisol. This review summarizes the evidence for OSA-associated potential biomarkers and demonstrates that the quality of available studies, as measured by AMSTAR2, is often low and associated with a high risk of bias.

A Pharyngoplasty with a Dorsal Palatal Flap Expansion: The Evaluation of a Modified Surgical Treatment Method for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome-A Preliminary Report.

Surgical techniques for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) constantly evolve. This study aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of a new surgical approach for an OSAS pharyngoplasty with a dorsal palatal flap expansion (PDPFEx). A total of 21 participants (mean age 49.9; mean BMI 32.5) underwent a type III sleep study, an endoscopy of the upper airways, a filled medical history, a visual analog scale for snoring loudness, an Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and a Short Form Health Survey-36 questionnaire. A follow-up re-evaluation was performed 11 ± 4.9 months post-operatively. The study group (4 with moderate, 17 with severe OSAS) showed an improvement in all measured sleep study characteristics (p < 0.05), apnea-hypopnea index (pre-median 45.7 to 29.3 post-operatively, p = 0.009, r = 0.394), oxygen desaturation index (pre-median 47.7 and 23.3 post-operatively, p = 0.0005, r = 0.812), mean oxygen saturation (median 92% pre-operatively and median 94% post-operatively, p = 0.0002, r = 0.812), lowest oxygen saturation (p = 0.0001, r = 0.540) and time of sleep spent with blood oxygen saturation less than 90% (p = 0.0001, r = 0.485). The most commonly reported complications were throat dryness (11 patients) and minor difficulties in swallowing (5 patients transient, 3 patients constant). We conclude that a PDPFEx is a promising new surgical method; however, further controlled studies are needed to demonstrate its safety and efficacy for OSAS treatment in adults.

The Association of Oxidative Stress in the Uvular Mucosa with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Clinical Study.

The hypothesis that individuals with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) demonstrate oxidative stress in the uvular mucosa that correlates with OSAS occurrence was investigated. A total of 128 participants (mean age 45.8, mean body mass index 30.7, female-male ratio 1:20) were divided into the non-OSAS group (apnea-hypopnea index-AHI < 5) and OSAS-group (AHI ≥ 5), in which mild (5 ≤ AHI < 15), moderate (15 ≤ AHI < 30), and severe (AHI ≥ 30) sub-groups were distinguished. Laryngological examination, Epworth Sleep Scale questionnaire, and home sleep study were performed to obtain AHI, mean oxygen saturation, and lowest oxygen saturation. Total oxidative status (TOS) and total antioxidative status (TAS) were assayed in the uvular mucosa taken during palatoplasty or palatopharyngoplasty. The severity of oxidative stress was expressed as oxidative stress index (OSI). Oxidative/reductive imbalance was noted in the mucosa of the uvula of OSAS individuals, and TAS of the uvular mucosa negatively correlated with the severity of this syndrome. TOS and OSI in the mild, moderate, and severe OSAS were higher than in the non-OSAS group, whereas TAS of the uvular mucosa in the OSAS group was lower compared to the non-OSAS group. In conclusion, oxidative stress in the uvular mucosa is associated with the occurrence of OSAS.

Assessment of Lacrimal Duct Patency in Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Medial Maxillectomy.

PURPOSE: The risk of epiphora after medial maxillectomy with lacrimal duct transection is difficult to assess. The data available in the literature are inconclusive due to various operating techniques used by the authors of medical publications, different additional procedures aimed at improving tear drainage after maxillectomy, and a variety of lacrimal duct patency assessment techniques. The aim of our work was to assess the anatomical and functional patency of lacrimal ducts after medial maxillectomy without performing additional procedures to improve tear drainage as well as comparison of the results obtained with different assessment tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 21 patients who underwent medial maxillectomy in the years 2016-2019 were assessed for discomfort and epiphora based on patients' own reports and basic clinical examination, lacrimal duct rinse test, the Munk score, and a modified endoscopic Jones I test. RESULTS: Gradually increasing the sensitivity of the assessment method resulted in an increase in the number of patients with potential tear drainage disorders, starting from 0% in the rinsing test, 4.8% self-reported tearing complaints, 14.3% Munk score, and 19% modified endoscopic Jones I test. CONCLUSIONS: The study results revealed that a small fraction of patients tend to report epiphora as a consequence of medial maxillectomy themselves. Subtle functional disorders, which are not particularly bothersome to patients, are more common. More sensitive lacrimal duct patency tests reveal more cases of tear drainage disorders. The results of studies assessing the incidence of epiphora after medial maxillectomy appear to depend on the type of test used.

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.

Is the Oxidative Stress in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Associated With Cardiovascular Complications?-Systematic Review.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent, underdiagnosed disease and is considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The exact mechanism of cardiovascular complications (CVC) development as a complication of OSA is not entirely understood. Oxidative stress is suspected to be the essential factor in initiating various comorbidities in OSA. Biomarkers of nonenzymatic lipid and protein peroxidation, DNA repair and antioxidant capabilities measured in serum, plasma and urine are frequently used to assess the presence of oxidative stress. We conducted a systematic review and quality assessment of available observational analytic studies to determine whether there is an association between oxidative stress and OSA in patients with prevalent CV disease compared to (a) patients with prevalent CV disease but no OSA, (b) patients with prevalent CV disease and less severe OSA and (c) patients with OSA and no overt CV disease. This systematic review demonstrated that, while oxidative stress is associated with OSA, there was no clear difference in the severity of oxidative stress between OSA patients with or without cardiovascular complications.

Does drug-induced sleep endoscopy affect surgical outcome? A multicenter study of 326 obstructive sleep apnea patients.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Our objective was to determine whether drug-induced sleep apnea (DISE) affects the successfulness of the surgical outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, seven-country, nonrandomized trial. METHODS: There were 326 consecutive obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients who had nose, palate, and/or tongue surgery included in the study. DISE was performed in only one group. RESULTS: There were 170 patients in the DISE group and 156 patients in no-DISE group. The mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) for the DISE group was 27.6 ± 4.6, whereas in the no-DISE group it was 28.1 ± 3.9 (P = .23). The mean preoperative systolic blood pressure (SBP) for the DISE group was 130.4 ± 16.7, whereas in the no-DISE group it was 142.9 ± 15.5 (P < .001). The mean preoperative diastolic blood pressure (DBP) for the DISE group was 81.4 ± 9.7, whereas in the no-DISE group it was 89.1 ± 9.7 (P < .001). The mean preoperative apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) for the DISE group was 32.6 ± 18.8, whereas in the no-DISE group it was 33.7 ± 19.6 (P = .61). The mean postoperative AHI for the DISE group was 15.9 ± 12.6, whereas in the no-DISE group it was 13.2 ± 8.8 (P = .023). The age-, gender-, BMI-adjusted percentage change in AHI for the DISE group was -48.4 ± 31.9, whereas in the no-DISE group it was -59.8 ± 18.6 (P < .001). The age-, gender-, and BMI-adjusted success rate for the DISE group was 66.5%, whereas in the no-DISE group it was 80.8% (P = .004). The age-, gender-, and BMI-adjusted change in SBP for the DISE group was -6.1 ± 8.6, whereas in the no-DISE group it was -13.3 ± 11.1 (P < .001). The age-, gender-, and BMI-adjusted change in DBP in the DISE group was -5.2 ± 12.1, whereas in the no-DISE group it was -12.4 ± 11.7 (P < .001). The mean age- and gender-adjusted change in BMI for the DISE group was -4.6 ± 12.9, whereas in the no-DISE group it was -6.3 ± 18.5 (P = .34). The Cohen effect of BMI on the overall AHI, lowest oxygen saturation, and blood pressure changes was 0.08. CONCLUSIONS: DISE may not significantly affect surgical success in OSA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2c Laryngoscope, 130:551-555, 2020.

Expression and Concentration of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 and Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinases 1 in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to assess the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in cancerous tissue as well as in the serum and plasma concentrations of these proteins in patients with laryngeal cancer and compare the results to the inflammatory reaction in healthy subjects. Twenty-seven patients who were diagnosed with laryngeal carcinoma and selected for total laryngectomy were included in the study group. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression in tissues was assessed using immunohistochemical assays. Immunoenzymatic ELISA methods were used to measure MMP-9 and TIMP-1 concentrations in serum and plasma. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were identified in tumor cells and in the tumor stroma compartment, as well as in macroscopically healthy mucous membrane. MMP-9 expression was more significant in tumor stroma than in the perimatrix of the mucous membrane (p = 0.047). TIMP-1 expression was significantly higher in the matrix and perimatrix of the mucous membrane than in cancer tissue (p = 0.0093) and the tumor stroma compartment (p < 0.0001). Expression of TIMP-1 was observed more frequently in tumors without infiltrated lymph nodes (p = 0.009). Serum concentrations of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 as well as plasma TIMP-1 concentration were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (p = 0.0004, p = 0.002, and p = 0.0001, respectively). A significantly higher TIMP-1 level in plasma was found in patients with poorly differentiated tumors compared to G1 and G2 (p = 0.046). MMP-9/TIMP-1 rate in serum was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group. The balance between the level of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 is disrupted in laryngeal cancer. The significant correlation between TIMP-1 expression and the presence of lymph node metastases, as well as that between TIMP-1 plasma concentration and stage of cancer histological differentiation, might indicate the importance of this molecule as a prognostic factor during carcinogenesis.

Palatal anatomy for sleep apnea surgery.

The goal of this review is to advance the understanding of the muscular and soft tissue palatal anatomy as it relates to palatal surgery for sleep apnea and the phenotypic variations that generate the shape and collapsibility of the retropalatal airway. Anatomically, the soft palate has both a proximal and distal segments separated by the palatal genu. The proximal palatal segment has a variable angle from the hard palate (ie, alpha angle) determined by the position and length of the levator veli palatini muscle. The palatopharyngeus muscle (PP) is a major defining element of the palate and lateral pharyngeal wall and forms the medial wall of the lateral palatal space. It is composed of two divisions: the longitudinal palatopharyngeus fasciculi which acts to elevate the pharynx and depress the soft palate and the transverse palatopharyngeus fascicle (Passavant's ridge) which function is a nasopharyngeal sphincter. The lateral palatal space incorporates the supra-tonsilar fat, and is bounded by muscles that determine the structure of the palate and associated lateral pharyngeal walls. Understanding of palatal muscles and pharyngeal airway phenotypes provides insight into the steps and mechanisms of pharyngoplasty procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

Histological evaluation of soft palate tissues in patients with sleep disordered breathing.

Introduction Sleep is a physiological state essential for proper functioning of the body. One of the reasons for sleep disorders is obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). AIM: The aim of this research is histological evaluation of the mucous membrane of the soft palate in patients affected by various forms of OSAS. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The studied group consisted of patients with sleep-related breathing disorder in the form of primary snoring or OSAS. People with chronic tonsillitis, without a history of sleep-related breathing disorders, were included in the comparative group. Fragments of the mucous membrane of the uvula (study group) and the glossopalatine arch (comparative group) were taken for histological examination during surgery. Using histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical methods, we assessed the presence and severity of inflammation (CD3, CD20, CD68), the structure of nerve fibers (S-100) and the size of blood vessels (CD34) in the examined tissue. RESULTS: Patients with OSAS developed a local inflammatory process in the oropharyngeal tissues (stronger expression of CD3, CD20, CD68 in people with OSAS). The exacerbation of the immunohistochemical reaction with CD3 correlated with the phase of OSAS. We found a higher degree of fibrosis and a higher expression of CD34 and S-100 receptors in subjects with OSAS compared to snoring patients and patients from the comparative group. DISCUSSION: Due to chronic tissue vibration, snoring most likely leads to damage to the nerve fibers in the soft palate, which can intensify episodes of shallow breathing during sleep and increase the occurrences of apnea.