Current Concepts in Tongue Surgery for OSA

Abstract

Program Description: To describe the various tongue base surgical techniques that are available for patients with OSA. Why we do them, who we do them for, and when? Tongue base obstruction has been known to be one of the levels of obstruction in OSA. Surgical treatment of the palate alone has been shown to be ineffective in patients with high Mallampati grades, Friedman Stage II & III, and tongue base collapse seen on dynamic nasopharyngoscopy. Severity of OSA is currently known to correlate with degree of tongue base and lateral pharyngeal wall collapse. Patients with severe OSA are more likely to have tongue base obstruction. Airway evaluation is vital in the management and assessment of patients with OSA. The indications for tongue base surgery is pivotal in the decision making process. All the indications based on the clinical examination would be explored and discussed. Various tongue base surgical techniques are discussed, ranging from radiofrequency of the tongue base, genioglossus advancement, hyoid suspension, laser midline glossectomy, tongue suspension, coblator channeling techniques, and robotic tongue base surgery. The surgical steps are illustrated, success rates are presented, and complications are discussed. Educational Objectives: 1) Apply the appropriate airway evaluation. 2) Choose the correct procedure. 3) Understand the technique behind each procedure.