UPPER Airway Stimulator for Management of Moderate to Severe Obstructive SLEEP Apnea

Abstract

Success rates for surgical management of obstructive sleep apnea vary from 40-95% with only maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) procedure showing good promise. Morbidity associated with a MMA however is high with an extended recovery. Other procedures including tongue-based procedures, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, lateral pharyngpplasty have much lower success rates in the range of 30-40%. The upper airway stimulator (UAS) was approved by the FDA in 2014, and to date about 1500 of these devices have been used to treat moderate to severe sleep apnea. UAS is gaining popularity due to good success rates of about 75%, decreased morbidity, and offered as a same-day procedure. We are the first oral and maxillofacial surgeons group to present our data on our experience of using upper airway stimulators in 10 patients with obstructive sleep apnea.