Lateral pharyngoplasty: polysomnographic results and phenotype-based analysis of OSA.

PURPOSE: There are several surgical treatments for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) including lateral pharyngoplasty (LP) have yielded promising results, clearly improving symptoms of the disease. However, there are few publications in relation to polysomnographic (PSG) results, and patient selection remains a challenge. There are currently four pathophysiological phenotypes for OSA: anatomical, low arousal threshold, ventilatory instability, and poor muscle response. This study sought to evaluate the PSG results of LP and to verify whether the phenotypic profile is predictive of surgical success. METHODS: This was an observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study that analyzed the PSG results (pre-surgical and at least 6 months after surgery) of patients treated with Cahali's LP. To assess phenotypes, the following variables of interest (obtained from the pre-operative PSG) were used: apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) during REM sleep (AHIrem), percentage of hypopneas in the AHI, number of central or mixed apneas, and AHIrem and non-REM AHI ratio. RESULTS: Of 46 patients, it was possible to evaluate the phenotype in 28 patients. There were significant differences in the AHI values, ranging from 37.5 (20.8-49.7) to 10.3 (2.3-33.0) (p < 0.001). The minimum oxyhemoglobin saturation ranged from 78 ± 11 to 83 ± 8 p = 0.008. The time with oxyhemoglobin saturation < 90% ranged from 3.6 min (0.5-9.1) to 0.0 (0.0-1.5) p = 0.031. An AHIrem of < 20 events/h showed a positive correlation with surgical success. CONCLUSION: LP is efficient for the treatment of OSA, yielding significant improvement in all respiratory parameters evaluated by PSG. A pre-operative AHIrem of < 20 events/h was associated with surgical success. Other variables of interest for determining the phenotypes were not predictors of surgical success.

Use of ultrasonography in the evaluation of patients with sleep apnea: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to review the current role of various ultrasonographic methods in the evaluation of the upper airway in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. METHODS: A literature review was performed on the medical databases: Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase. After analyzing the available studies, six of them were selected for data extraction. RESULTS: All selected studies demonstrated that it is possible to use ultrasonography as a method of evaluating the upper airway. Studies with gray-scale ultrasound concluded that the lateral pharyngeal wall and tongue are thicker in patients with obstructive sleep apnea compared to non-apneic patients. Moreover, studies with tissue characterization ultrasound, nowadays called quantitative ultrasound, have identified unique features in obstructive sleep apnea patients: standardized backscatter ultrasonography demonstrated that this particular sound wave analysis is associated with the severity of obstructive sleep apnea. Ultrasonography with elastography shows that the electrical stimulus generated in the hypoglossal nerve results in greater stiffness on the side of the tongue that is stimulated; whereas studies show conflicting results regarding the evaluation of baseline tongue stiffness in obstructive sleep apnea patients compared to non-apneic subjects. CONCLUSION: There is feasibility of different methods of ultrasonographic evaluation of the upper airway, with emphasis on ultrasonographic methods of tissue characterization, such as elastography, which proved to be a promising method of evaluating the mechanical properties of the muscles involved in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea and which require further studies for a better elucidation of its applicability.

Cephalometric Evaluation in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea undergoing Lateral Pharyngoplasty.

Introduction Lateral pharyngoplasty (LP) has shown promising results. Craniofacial deformity reduces the pharyngeal space, contributing to the etiopathogenesis. The analysis of craniofacial features can be performed using cephalometry. Objective To verify if craniofacial deformity is associated with worse polysomnographic data in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and to verify if the preoperative cephalometric parameters can interfere with the surgical success of the LP. Methods The study included 21 patients with OSA aged between 18 and 65 years who underwent LP in a university hospital from 2015 to 2019. Polysomnography was performed postoperatively, after a minimum period of 6 months from the surgical procedure. In addition, a cephalometric evaluation was performed to assess craniofacial deformity, and to correlate it with the polysomnographic results. Results The mean and median of all polysomnographic respiratory parameters improved postoperatively, especially the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), which went from 40.15 to 16.60 events per hour ( p = 0.001). Of the 21 patients, 15 showed improvements in the AHI postoperatively. As for the cephalometric evaluations, we found that the longer the distance between the hyoid bone and the mandibular plane, the greater the patient's preoperative AHI ( p = 0.011). When assessing whether cephalometric changes related to craniofacial deformities influence the surgical outcome of LP, no correlation was found for any cephalometric measurement. Conclusion The longer the distance between the hyoid bone and the mandibular plane, the greater the preoperative AHI, and LP was an effective OSA treatment. Cephalometric variables are not able to modify or determine the success of LP in apneic patients in the population assessed.

The Impact of Clinical and Craniofacial Changes on the Surgical Outcomes of Lateral Pharyngoplasty in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Objective To verify if maxillomandibular retrusion, obesity, and increased neck circumference are factors of worse surgical prognosis for lateral pharyngoplasty in apneic patients. Materials and Methods We evaluated 53 patients with obstructive sleep apnea who underwent lateral pharyngoplasty. Clinical evaluation was performed before the surgical procedure and included the measurement of body mass index (BMI) in kg/m 2 , neck circumference in centimeters, and a clinical evaluation of the facial profile obtained through the natural position of the oriented head. The polysomnographic evaluation was performed with at a minimum of 6 months after surgery, and polysomnographic results were correlated with the preoperative clinical data. Results The mean age of the patients was 38.8 years; the mean BMI was of 29.28kg/m 2 , and 84.9% of the sample was composed of men and 15.1% of women. There was a significant reduction in the mean value of the main respiratory parameters verified by polysomnography, such as apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) from 31.60 events per hour to 8.15 ( p < 0.001); NadirO 2 went from 81% to 85% ( p = 0.002) and mean oxyhemoglobin saturation from 94% to 95% ( p = 0.024). It was also observed that the greater the maxillomandibular retrusion, the lower the mean reduction of the AHI after surgery. The increase in neck circumference proved to be a factor associated with the surgical outcome, and for each 1-cm decrease in the neck circumference, the chance of surgical success increased 1.2-fold. Conclusion Lateral pharyngoplasty is an efficient surgical obstructive sleep apnea treatment. The lower the neck circumference measurement, the greater the chances of surgical success, and clinically evaluated maxillomandibular retrusion can reduce the magnitude of improvement in respiratory parameters after lateral pharyngoplasty in apneic patients.

Cephalometric Evaluation in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea undergoing Lateral Pharyngoplasty

Abstract Introduction Lateral pharyngoplasty (LP) has shown promising results. Craniofacial deformity reduces the pharyngeal space, contributing to the etiopathogenesis. The analysis of craniofacial features can be performed using cephalometry. Objective To verify if craniofacial deformity is associated with worse polysomnographic data in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and to verify if the preoperative cephalometric parameters can interfere with the surgical success of the LP. Methods The study included 21 patients with OSA aged between 18 and 65 years who underwent LP in a university hospital from 2015 to 2019. Polysomnography was performed postoperatively, after a minimum period of 6 months from the surgical procedure. In addition, a cephalometric evaluation was performed to assess craniofacial deformity, and to correlate it with the polysomnographic results. Results The mean and median of all polysomnographic respiratory parameters improved postoperatively, especially the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), which went from 40.15 to 16.60 events per hour (p = 0.001). Of the 21 patients, 15 showed improvements in the AHI postoperatively. As for the cephalometric evaluations, we found that the longer the distance between the hyoid bone and the mandibular plane, the greater the patient's preoperative AHI (p = 0.011). When assessing whether cephalometric changes related to craniofacial deformities influence the surgical outcome of LP, no correlation was found for any cephalometric measurement. Conclusion The longer the distance between the hyoid bone and the mandibular plane, the greater the preoperative AHI, and LP was an effective OSA treatment. Cephalometric variables are not able to modify or determine the success of LP in apneic patients in the population assessed.

Emotional Stress Evaluation of Patients with Moderate and Severe Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

Introduction The scientific literature has shown that the damage caused by sleep fragmentation in people affected by Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) can reflect emotionally, generating not only physical symptoms such as drowsiness and tiredness, but also psychical symptoms, such as stress. Objective This study aimed at comparing symptoms of stress in patients with moderate or severe OSA, before and after two months of treatment (clinical or surgical). Method This isx an Individual, prospective, longitudinal, and interventional study. All patients underwent polysomnography before treatment. We collected data through the application of Stress Symptoms Inventory for Adults Lipp (ISSL) before and after two months of medical or surgical treatment for moderate or severe OSA. Results The sample consisted of 18 patients (72.2% male) with a mean age of 51.83 years. We found that 77.8% (n = 14) of patients had stress in the first evaluation. In the second evaluation (after treatment), this reduced to 16.7% (n = 3). The average stress symptoms decreased from the first to the second evaluation (M = 13.78 and M = 6.17, respectively), being statistically significant (z = -3.53; p < 0.000). Conclusions We found that moderate and severe apnea patients have significant stress index and that, after two months of medical or surgical treatment, there is a significant reduction of the symptom. In addition, the patients with severe OSA had a better outcome regarding the reduction of stress index than patients with moderate OSA.

Epidemiologic profile of patients with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea in a university hospital.

Introduction There are several studies on the pathophysiology and prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS), however, few studies address the epidemiological profile of these patients. Objective The aim of this study is to analyze the epidemiological profile of patients diagnosed with OSAS referred to the Sleep Medicine clinic. Methods Cross-sectional individualized study covering 57 patients who were referred from the general ENT clinic to the Sleep Medicine clinic. Results Classification of OSAS: 16% had primary snoring, 14% mild OSAS, 18% moderate OSAS, and 52% severe OSAS. Distribution according to weight: 7% had normal weight, 2% were overweight (BMI 2530), 37% grade I obesity (BMI 25.1 to 30); 9% grade II obesity (BMI 30.1 to 35) and grade III obesity (BMI greater than 35) in 45% of cases. Distribution Friedmann stage: 9% were classified as grade I, 35% were considered grade II, 54% as grade III and 2% as grade IV. Treatment adopted: 46% were treated with CPAP; 19% were treated with surgery; oral appliance was designed for 14% patients, 7% were given roncoplastic injection and 7% positional therapy. A new polysomnography was asked to 5% of patients. To 2% of patients given the oral appliance was due to treatment failure with roncoplastic injection. Conclusion Most of the patients are male, obese and with moderate or severe OSAS. Snoring and daytime excessive sleepiness were the most common symptoms. The surgical procedures employed in this service (roncoplastic injection, UPPP and lateral pharyngoplasty) followed the recommendations of the available literature.

Emotional Stress Evaluation of Patients with Moderate and Severe Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Abstract Introduction The scientific literature has shown that the damage caused by sleep fragmentation in people affected by Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) can reflect emotionally, generating not only physical symptoms such as drowsiness and tiredness, but also psychical symptoms, such as stress. Objective This study aimed at comparing symptoms of stress in patients with moderate or severe OSA, before and after twomonths of treatment (clinical or surgical). Method This is an Individual, prospective, longitudinal, and interventional study. All patients underwent polysomnography before treatment.We collected data through the application of Stress Symptoms Inventory for Adults Lipp (ISSL) before and after two months of medical or surgical treatment for moderate or severe OSA. Results The sample consisted of 18 patients (72.2% male) with a mean age of 51.83 years. We found that 77.8% (n = 14) of patients had stress in the first evaluation. In the second evaluation (after treatment), this reduced to 16.7% (n = 3). The average stress symptoms decreased from the first to the second evaluation (M = 13.78 andM = 6.17, respectively), being statistically significant (z = -3.53; p < 0.000). Conclusions We found that moderate and severe apnea patients have significant stress index and that, after two months of medical or surgical treatment, there is a significant reduction of the symptom. In addition, the patients with severe OSA had a better outcome regarding the reduction of stress index than patients with moderate OSA.

Epidemiologic Profile of Patients with Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a University Hospital

Introduction: There are several studies on the pathophysiology and prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS), however, few studies address the epidemiological profile of these patients. Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the epidemiological profile of patients diagnosed with OSAS referred to the Sleep Medicine clinic. Methods: Cross-sectional individualized study covering 57 patients who were referred from the general ENT clinic to the Sleep Medicine clinic. Results: Classification of OSAS: 16% had primary snoring, 14% mild OSAS, 18% moderate OSAS, and 52% severe OSAS. Distribution according to weight: 7% had normal weight, 2% were overweight (BMI 2530), 37% grade I obesity (BMI 25.1 to 30); 9% grade II obesity (BMI 30.1 to 35) and grade III obesity (BMI greater than 35) in 45% of cases. Distribution Friedmann stage: 9% were classified as grade I, 35% were considered grade II, 54% as grade III and 2% as grade IV. Treatment adopted: 46% were treated with CPAP; 19% were treated with surgery; oral appliance was designed for 14% patients, 7% were given roncoplastic injection and 7% positional therapy. A new polysomnography was asked to 5% of patients. To 2% of patients given the oral appliance was due to treatment failure with roncoplastic injection. Conclusion: Most of the patients are male, obese and with moderate or severe OSAS. Snoring and daytime excessive sleepiness were the most common symptoms. The surgical procedures employed in this service (roncoplastic injection, UPPP and lateral pharyngoplasty) followed the recommendations of the available literature...