Abstract
Upper airway stimulation plays an increasingly important role in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The target of stimulation is the hypoglossal nerve (N.XII), which-as apure motor nerve-innervates the intrinsic and extrinsic tongue muscles. By selectively stimulating individual nerve fibers, the upper airway can be opened by protruding the tongue. The N.XII has anumber of anatomical variants, which are decisive during surgical implantation of these pacemaker systems. Intraoperative neuromonitoring is very helpful in this regard. Accurate placement of the stimulation electrode for selective upper airway stimulation requires knowledge of N.XII anatomy, intraoperative neuromonitoring, and accurate assessment of muscle contractions and tongue movements.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
