Preoperative Polysomnography Research Articles

Prevalence of Sleep Apnea in patients Treated for an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Objectives: The prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in France is between 0.8% and 7.5%. The risk of rupture of an AAA is strongly related to the evolution of its diameter. However the factors influencing the evolution of the diameter are little known. The role of sleep apnea (SA) remains still discussed. The objective of this study was to study the prevalence of SA in the patients presenting with an AAA requiring surgery in comparison with the general population as well as the relation between the AAA diameter and the severity of SA. Materials and Methods: Between June 2012 and December 2014, we included all the patients referred for the treatment of an AAA. All the patients gave their consent for the realization of a preoperative polysomnography. An apnea/hypopnea index (AHI)>10/h was chosen for the diagnosis of SA. For each patient, the age, the gender, the body mass index (BMI), the AHI, the duration of desaturation (saturation 60mm). The prevalence of SA, the AHI, and the duration of desaturation were compared between the groups. Results: 59 patients (52 men, 7 women) were included. The mean age was 71 years (48-88). The average diameter of the AAAwas 58.3mm (45-95). 61.5% of the patients presented SA a prevalence significantly higher than in the general population (61.5 vs 7.5%, p<0.001). The distribution of the groups was: group 1, n1⁄4 9 patients, group 2, n1⁄4 20 patients, group 3, n1⁄416 patients and group 4, n1⁄414 patients. The prevalence of SA increased with the diameter of the AAA (group 1: 20%; group 2: 35%; group 3: 72% and group 4: 77%; p1⁄40.015). SA was more severe in group 4 than in the other groups (AHI was 35 in group 4 vs. 17 in group 3 [p1⁄40.0043], 17 in group 2 [(p1⁄40.01], and 5.4 in group 1 [p1⁄40.0003]). Conclusion: The prevalence of sleep apnea in patients with an AAA seems to be significantly higher than in the general population, independently of the BMI. The growth of the aneurysm seems to be linked to the severity of SAS.

Are nocturnal hypoxemia and hypercapnia associated with desaturation immediately after adenotonsillectomy?

Children who undergo adenotonsillectomy for sleep-disordered breathing frequently have postoperative oxygen desaturations. Nocturnal hypoxia has been shown to predict postoperative respiratory complications; however, other gas exchange abnormalities detected on polysomnography (PSG) have not been evaluated. We sought to determine whether hypercapnia seen on preoperative nocturnal PSG can predict postoperative hypoxemia. We conducted a retrospective review of 319 children who underwent polysomnography before adenotonsillectomy. Saturation levels were recorded for at least 2h postoperatively, and the primary outcome was desaturation (<90%). The median patient age was 5years (range, 5months-17years). Patients who desaturated postoperatively had higher median peak endtidal CO2 (EtCO2 ) levels (55.5 vs 52mmHg; P=0.02), lower saturation nadirs (80.5% vs 88%; P=0.048), and were younger (2 vs 6years; P<0.001) than those without desaturation. Age was significantly correlated with peak EtCO2 (r=-0.16), respiratory disturbance index (RDI; r=-0.23), and oxygen saturation nadir (r=0.25; all P<0.01). In unadjusted analysis, age <3years compared to ≥9years (odds ratio [OR]=10.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.13-96.26), peak EtCO2 >55mmHg (OR=3.38; 95% CI=1.21-9.47), and RDI≥10 (OR=2.89; 95% CI=1.05-8.42) were associated with increased odds of desaturation. Multivariable logistic regression on age, race, sex, peak EtCO2 , RDI, opioid use, and saturation nadir showed that only age was significantly associated with postoperative desaturation. Patients 0-2years old were 10.43 (95% CI=1.89-110.9) times more likely to have desaturation than patients 9-17years old. Patients <3years of age are most likely to have postoperative hypoxemia after adenotonsillectomy. Gas exchange abnormalities did not correlate with postoperative desaturations, although age and peak EtCO2 did strongly correlate.

Perioperative Auto-titrated Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment in Surgical Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

BACKGROUND Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may worsen postoperatively. The objective of this randomized open-label trial is to determine whether perioperative auto-titrated continuous positive airway pressure (APAP) treatment decreases postoperative apnea hypopnea index (AHI) and improves oxygenation in patients with moderate and severe OSA. METHODS The consented patients with AHI of more than 15 events/h on preoperative polysomnography were randomized into the APAP or control group (receiving routine care). The APAP patients received APAP for 2 or 3 preoperative, and 5 postoperative nights. All patients were monitored with oximetry for 7 to 8 nights (N) and underwent polysomnography on postoperative N3. The primary outcome was AHI on the postoperative N3. RESULTS One hundred seventy-seven OSA patients undergoing orthopedic and other surgeries were enrolled (APAP: 87 and control: 90). There was no difference between the two groups in baseline data. One hundred six patients (APAP: 40 and control: 66) did polysomnography on postoperative N3, and 100 patients (APAP: 39 and control: 61) completed the study. The compliance rate of APAP was 45%. The APAP usage was 2.4-4.6 h/night. In the APAP group, AHI decreased from preoperative baseline: 30.1 (22.1, 42.5) events/h (median [25th, 75th percentile]) to 3.0 (1.0, 12.5) events/h on postoperative N3 (P < 0.001), whereas, in the control group, AHI increased from 30.4 (23.2, 41.9) events/h to 31.9 (13.5, 50.2) events/h, P = 0.302. No significant change occurred in the central apnea index. CONCLUSIONS The trial showed the feasibility of perioperative APAP for OSA patients. Perioperative APAP treatment significantly reduced postoperative AHI and improved oxygen saturation in the patients with moderate and severe OSA.

Relationship between chronic intermittent hypoxia and intraoperative mean arterial pressure in obstructive sleep apnea patients having laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Recurrent nocturnal hypoxemia in obstructive sleep apnea enhances sympathetic function, decreases baroreceptor sensitivity, and weakens peripheral vascular responses to adrenergic signals. The authors hypothesized that the percentage of total sleep time spent at oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO2) less than 90% and minimum nocturnal SaO2 on preoperative polysomnography are associated with decreased intraoperative mean arterial pressure. The authors examined the records of all patients who had laparoscopic bariatric surgery at Cleveland Clinic between 2005 and 2009 and an available polysomnography study. The authors assessed the relationships between the percentage of total sleep time spent at SaO2 less than 90% and minimum nocturnal SaO2, and the time-weighted average of mean arterial pressure. The authors used multivariable regression models to adjust for prespecified clinical confounders. Two hundred eighty-one patients were included in the analysis. The average change in the time-weighted average of mean arterial pressure was -0.02 (97.5% CI, -0.08, 0.04) mmHg for each 1% absolute increase in the percentage of sleep time spent at SaO2 less than 90% (P = 0.50). The average change was -0.13 (97.5% CI, -0.27, 0.01) mmHg, for each 1% absolute decrease in the minimum SaO2 (P = 0.04 > significance criterion of 0.025, Bonferroni correction). An unplanned analysis estimated 1% absolute decrease in minimum SaO2 was associated with -0.22 (98.75% CI, -0.39, -0.04) mmHg, change in mean arterial pressure (P = 0.002) in the time period between endotracheal intubation and trocar insertion. Recurrent nocturnal hypoxemia in obstructive sleep apnea is not a risk marker for intraoperative hypotension.

Polysomnography Outcomes after Transoral Robotic Lingual Tonsillectomy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objectives: Compare polysomnography (PSG) results before and after transoral robotic lingual tonsillectomy (TORLT) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: Lingual tonsillar or base of tongue hypertrophy can be a cause of OSA but has proven difficult to address because of difficulty in accessing this area of the oropharynx through traditional surgical techniques. TORLT provides a simple, minimally invasive surgical technique for lingual tonsillectomy. Patients with OSA symptoms were assessed with preoperative PSG and sleep endoscopy for base of tongue obstruction. Selected candidates underwent TORLT followed by repeat PSG and nasal endoscopy after full recovery from the procedure. The pre- and postoperative PSG data were compared for each patient. Nonparametric comparisons were made using the signed rank test becasue of small sample size. Results: Ten patients underwent preoperative PSG and subsequent TORLT. Postoperative polysomnography data as available for 8 patients. Pre- and postoperative PSG comparisons (pre, post, P value) showed improvements in the median apnea-hypopnea index (49.8, 19.5, P = .84), sleep onset latency (11.8 minutes, 17.5 minutes, P = .84), sleep efficiency (80.5%, 92.3%, P = .2), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (14.5, 10, P = .88), but none were statistically significant. Conclusions: Transoral robotic lingual tonsillectomy improved polysomnography measures but not to a level of significance. This study is limited by small sample size and associated limited statistical power. Further study with larger sample sizes should be undertaken to more definitively study outcomes for this surgical technique.

Effects of surgical weight loss for treating obstructive sleep apnea.

Weight loss has been reported to reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), particularly in the obese population. However, prospective studies with polysomnography (PSG) for the precise evaluation of OSA are lacking especially in Asian countries. We evaluated the effects of surgical weight loss for treating OSA using PSG data obtained before and after surgery. We performed a prospective study analyzing the clinical and PSG data obtained from our cohort of bariatric surgical candidates with moderate to severe OSA, as confirmed by preoperative PSG. The patients underwent follow-up PSG at least 12 months after bariatric surgery (laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass). Of the 47 patients (70.1%) with moderate to severe OSA among 67 patients who underwent preoperative PSG, 10 patients underwent postoperative PSG. The mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of these 10 patients significantly reduced from 51.0±34.2 to 9.3±12.9 events/h, while their mean body mass index (BMI) loss was from 39.9±8.3 to 26.9±4.4 kg/m2. Although the severity of OSA improved considerably, OSA resolution was achieved in only five patients (50%). When compared to the patients who achieved OSA resolution, the patients with residual OSA showed a tendency to have lower minimum arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) levels and higher supine AHI values in preoperative PSG. Surgical weight loss resulted in the significant improvement of OSA associated with obesity. However, OSA remained in a considerable proportion of patients even after substantial weight loss. We recommend that postoperative PSG be considered for the evaluation of residual OSA, especially in patients with low minimum SaO2 levels and high supine AHI in preoperative PSG.

Prevalence of severe obstructive sleep apnea in pediatric adenotonsillectomy patients

To determine the prevalence of severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a pediatric population who underwent indicated surgery for sleep disordered breathing (SDB). Retrospective chart review. We reviewed the charts of patients aged 2 to 18 years who underwent tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy over a 4-year period. Indications for preoperative polysomnography (PSG), PSG results, and perioperative complications were recorded. Two hundred and thirty-five patients were included in the final analysis. Of these, 160 patients had preoperative PSG performed. The overall prevalence of severe OSA was 38%. The prevalence in patients for whom preoperative PSG was indicated or for which it should have been advocated according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) clinical practice guideline was 45% and 40%, respectively, whereas the prevalence in patients with no indication for preoperative PSG was 34%. There was no significant difference between groups (P = 0.39). The overall complication rate was 11%, with the rate being significantly lower (P = 0.0022) in patients who did not have preoperative PSG performed (0%) when compared to those who did (16%). The prevalence of severe OSA in this pediatric population was high. Specifically, a significant percentage of children who would not have received preoperative PSG under the AAO-HNS recommendations had severe OSA and were consequently admitted for overnight observation. Our results suggest that preoperative PSG should be obtained for all pediatric patients with sleep disordered breathing.

Beyond adenotonsillectomy: Outcomes of sleep endoscopy-directed treatments in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea

ObjectivesIn this study we determine the subjective and objective outcomes of pediatric patients with refractory OSA undergoing drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE)-directed surgical treatment. Methods31 consecutive children with OSA following TA underwent DISE. 26 completed DISE-directed operative management of the level(s) of ongoing upper airway obstruction. Pre- and postoperative OSA were assessed through a detailed history (of nighttime symptoms (NS) and daytime symptoms (DS)), physical examination, and polysomnography. ResultsAge ranged 5–18 years (mean 9.7±3.4). Fourteen of 26 had trisomy 21 (51%). Operations were performed in the following frequencies: lingual tonsillectomy (LT) (22), midline posterior glossectomy (MPG) (16), revision adenoidectomy (11), inferior turbinate submucosal resection (7), uvulopalatoplasty (2), and supraglottoplasty (2). Overall, 92% reported subjective improvement. NS improved from 5.8±2.9 preoperatively to 2.1±2.5 postoperatively (p<0.05), while DS improved from 2.1±1.3 preoperatively to 0.6±1.1 postoperatively (p<0.05). Seventeen patients completed preoperative polysomnography, while only 11 of them also completed postoperative polysomnography. Mean OAHI fell from 7.0 (±5.8) events/hr to 3.6 (±1.8) events/hr (t-test, p=0.09). ConclusionsIndividualized, multilevel, DISE-directed operative therapy was associated with substantial improvement in subjective measures of sleep.

Why does Adenotonsillectomy Not Correct Enuresis in All Children with Sleep Disordered Breathing?

We analyzed the outcome of nocturnal enuresis after adenotonsillectomy in children with sleep disordered breathing. We also evaluated differences in demographic, clinical, laboratory and polysomnography parameters between responders and nonresponders after adenotonsillectomy. We prospectively evaluated children 5 to 18 years old diagnosed with sleep disordered breathing (snoring or obstructive sleep apnea syndrome) on polysomnography and monosymptomatic primary nocturnal enuresis requiring adenotonsillectomy to release upper airway obstruction. Plasma antidiuretic hormone and brain natriuretic peptide were measured preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively. Sleep studies were done in 46 children and 32 also underwent blood testing preoperatively and postoperatively. Mean ± SD patient age was 8.79 ± 2.41 years and the mean number of wet nights weekly was 6.39 ± 1.26. Polysomnography revealed obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in 71.7% of patients and snoring in 28.3%. After adenotonsillectomy 43.5% of patients became dry. Preoperative polysomnography findings indicated that responders, who were dry, had significantly more arousals and obstructive apnea episodes but fewer awakenings than nonresponders, who were wet. Significant increases in plasma antidiuretic hormone and significant decreases in plasma brain natriuretic peptide were seen in all children with no difference between responders and nonresponders. No difference between the groups was noted in age, gender, race, body mass index, constipation, preoperative number of wet nights weekly or type of sleep disordered breathing. Nocturnal enuresis resolved after adenotonsillectomy in almost half of the children with sleep disordered breathing. Those who became dry had more frequent arousal episodes caused by apnea events than those who remained wet.

Clinical indicators that predict the presence of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea after adenotonsillectomy in children

ObjectiveTo determine if clinical indicators can predict the presence of moderate to severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) after Adenotonsillectomy (T&A) in children. Study DesignRetrospective study. SettingUrban Tertiary Care Pediatric Hospital. MethodsParents of children (<18yrs.) with OSA completed a 55-item questionnaire based on their child’s symptoms at the time of preoperative polysomnography and then again at the follow up polysomnography completed 3 to 6months after T&A. Main outcome measures55 item questionnaire, polysomnography variables. Results97 children were included (59 Male and 38 Female). The mean preoperative apnea hypopnea index (AHI) was 30.5±31.6/h and the mean postoperative AHI was 4.4±6.0/h. After T&A, all 97 children had reduction in AHI, and 35 (36.1%) no longer had OSA (AHI<1/h). The total symptom scores decreased from 15.8±9.4 to 11.3±8.7 after T&A (p<.0001). Fourteen symptoms highly predictive of moderate to severe OSA were identified in the univariate analysis (p<0.1). Using a cut-point of 4, this 14-item subscale illustrated an overall predictability of 72.2% (73.7% sensitivity and 70.0% specificity) for identifying children with moderate to severe OSA. ConclusionA cluster of 14 clinical sleep symptoms are highly predictive of moderate to severe OSA and can serve as clinical predictor for the presence of moderate to severe OSA after T&A.

Sleep apnoea is associated with major cardiac events in peripheral arterial disease

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) represents severe atherosclerosis with a high mortality after vascular surgery. The role of OSA in the prognosis of these patients is not yet established. 84 patients (aged 67 ± 9 years) scheduled for sub-inguinal surgical revascularisation were enrolled for preoperative polysomnography. The threshold for significant OSA was an apnoea/hypopnoea index ≥ 20 events·h(-1). Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, coronary revascularisation, angina pectoris requiring hospitalisation and stroke, were used as a combined end-point. During follow-up (median 52 months), 17 out of 39 patients with and six out of 45 patients without significant OSA suffered MACCE. In the multivariate Cox regression, the primary predictors of MACCE were significant OSA (hazard ratio (HR) 5.1 (95% CI 1.9-13.9); p=0.001) and pre-existing coronary artery disease (HR 4.4 (95% CI 1.8-10.6); p=0.001). Other significant predictors were a ≥ 4 year history of PAD (HR 3.8 (95% CI 1.3-11.5); p=0.02) and decreasing high-density lipoprotein/total cholesterol ratio (HR 0.95 per percentage (95% CI 0.90-1.00); p=0.048). OSA is associated with poor long-term outcome in patients with PAD following revascularisation. OSA might have an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in these patients.

Perioperative Auto-titrated Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment in Surgical Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may worsen postoperatively. The objective of this randomized open-label trial is to determine whether perioperative auto-titrated continuous positive airway pressure (APAP) treatment decreases postoperative apnea hypopnea index (AHI) and improves oxygenation in patients with moderate and severe OSA. The consented patients with AHI of more than 15 events/h on preoperative polysomnography were randomized into the APAP or control group (receiving routine care). The APAP patients received APAP for 2 or 3 preoperative, and 5 postoperative nights. All patients were monitored with oximetry for 7 to 8 nights (N) and underwent polysomnography on postoperative N3. The primary outcome was AHI on the postoperative N3. One hundred seventy-seven OSA patients undergoing orthopedic and other surgeries were enrolled (APAP: 87 and control: 90). There was no difference between the two groups in baseline data. One hundred six patients (APAP: 40 and control: 66) did polysomnography on postoperative N3, and 100 patients (APAP: 39 and control: 61) completed the study. The compliance rate of APAP was 45%. The APAP usage was 2.4-4.6 h/night. In the APAP group, AHI decreased from preoperative baseline: 30.1 (22.1, 42.5) events/h (median [25th, 75th percentile]) to 3.0 (1.0, 12.5) events/h on postoperative N3 (P < 0.001), whereas, in the control group, AHI increased from 30.4 (23.2, 41.9) events/h to 31.9 (13.5, 50.2) events/h, P = 0.302. No significant change occurred in the central apnea index. The trial showed the feasibility of perioperative APAP for OSA patients. Perioperative APAP treatment significantly reduced postoperative AHI and improved oxygen saturation in the patients with moderate and severe OSA.

Does weight loss affect the apnea/hypopnea index?

Does weight loss affect the apnea/hypopnea index?

Systematic Review of Effects of Adenotonsillectomy on Cardiovascular Parameters in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

To systematically review current studies on the effects of adenotonsillectomy (T&A) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on cardiovascular parameters in children. PubMed database. A comprehensive PubMed MeSH search was done between 1970 and 2012. Fourteen articles were included. The total number of children was 418. The mean sample size was 30 (range, 1-62), and the mean age of the sample population was 6 years (range, 2-10 years). Criteria used for the diagnosis of OSA ranged from full-night polysomnography (PSG) to clinical parameters. Three studies had results from preoperative and postoperative PSG. Cardiovascular parameters studied included blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac morphology, and cardiac function. All studies reported an improvement in cardiovascular parameters and OSA symptoms after surgery. Three studies reported improvement in blood pressure, 6 reported improvement in mean pulmonary artery pressures, 7 reported improvement in echocardiographic findings, and 1 reported a decrease in pulse rate and pulse rate variability after T&A for OSA. There is evidence that cardiovascular morbidities associated with OSA are potentially reversible. T&A may have a significant role in reversing the cardiovascular sequelae of OSA. However, there is a paucity of well-designed and powered studies to address this issue.

Unrecognised obstructive sleep apnoea is common in severe peripheral arterial disease

Patients needing surgery for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) represent a severe form of atherosclerosis with an overall 5-yr mortality of 30% after revascularisation. The aetiology for poor post-operative clinical outcome in these high-risk patients is not fully established. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with atherosclerosis and is an independent risk factor for fatal and nonfatal cardiac events. Here, we determine the prevalence of undiagnosed OSA in a homogenous group of PAD patients undergoing subinguinal surgical revascularisation. 82 consecutive patients (mean age 67±9 yrs, 52 males) with sinus rhythm and without congestive heart failure or previously diagnosed OSA were enrolled for pre-operative polysomnography and echocardiography. OSA was present in 70 (85%) patients (95% CI 75-93%), of whom 24 (34%) had severe OSA. OSA was mostly asymptomatic, and age- and sex-adjusted multivariate regression analysis showed no relation to obesity, metabolic syndrome or any manifestation of atherosclerosis, other than PAD. Left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.002) and high-density lipoprotein/total cholesterol ratio (p = 0.03) were the only independent predictors for the severity of OSA. Thus, prevalence of OSA is unexpectedly high in patients with PAD and is not related to classical risk factors of sleep apnoea.

Is uvulopalatopharyngoplasty still an option for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea?

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) has been widely described as a surgical option for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Several studies have demonstrated variable success rates, and different criteria have been used to define success of surgery. The aim of the present study was to assess the efficiency of UPPP by polysomnography and to correlate it to the clinical findings. Also, we correlated to the various studies dealing with this topic, considering the different criteria adopted in each of this. Sixty-four patients were included in the study. The efficiency of surgery for UPPP was analyzed to the variables such as body mass index, age, preoperative polysomnography results and follow-up period. Based on the criteria for postoperative cure, the success rate was 44 %. Younger patients presented a better success rate than older ones. No other correlation was found between clinical findings and UPPP success. UPPP can be curative in some patients, but combination with other treatment modalities must be considered. This should be mentioned to the patients, since in many cases the sites of airway collapse may be multiple and no clinical aspect (except for age) is indicative of good prognosis.

Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Bariatric Patients with a Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objective: To study a possible association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity, managed with noninvasive ventilation, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in bariatric surgical patients. Methods: Medical records of 218 bariatric surgical patients who underwent liver biopsy were reviewed. OSA severity was determined from preoperative polysomnography (apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≤ 15 no/mild OSA vs. AHI ≥ 16 moderate/severe OSA). Patients diagnosed with OSA were prescribed noninvasive ventilation. Patients were categorized according to liver histopathology into 3 groups: i) no liver disease or simple steatosis, ii) mild NASH (steatosis with necroinflammation and mild fibrosis (stage 0–1)), and iii) advanced NASH (steatosis with necroinflammation and more advanced fibrosis (stage ≥ 2)). Results: 125 patients (57%) had no/mild OSA, and 93 (43%) had moderate/severe OSA. There was no difference in serum aminotransferases between patients by OSA severity classification. There was a high prevalence of hepatic histopathological abnormalities: 84% patients had steatosis, 57% had necroinflammation, 34% had fibrotic changes, and 14% had advanced NASH. There was no association between severity of NASH and severity of OSA. Conclusions: There is no association between stage of steatohepatitis and OSA severity among morbidly obese patients managed with noninvasive ventilation.

Neonatal and Infant Mandibular Distraction as an Alternative to Tracheostomy in Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Surgical management for severe obstructive sleep apnea has been tracheostomy, which has significant morbidity. To determine the efficacy of internal mandibular distraction in treating severe obstructive sleep apnea in infants and neonates. Retrospective review of medical records of 29 patients who underwent internal mandibular distraction for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to micrognathia. Nonprofit, academic, pediatric medical center. A total of 29 infants with obstructive sleep apnea were studied. Nine were included in the respiratory failure group requiring intubation prior to distraction surgery. The other 20 were included in the respiratory distress group and underwent preoperative polysomnography that assessed the severity of obstructive sleep apnea as measured by the apnea-hypopnea index. One patient expired following surgery; the remaining 28 underwent postoperative polysomnography determining their postoperative apnea-hypopnea index. Bilateral mandibular distraction with internal microdistractors. Improvement in the apnea-hypopnea index or extubation. The nine respiratory failure patients avoided tracheostomy and were successfully extubated postdistraction. Eight in this group had postoperative polysomnographies showing a mean apnea-hypopnea index of 3.13 (range, 0 to 13.9). All 20 patients in the respiratory distress group underwent polysomnography and showed improved apnea-hypopnea indices (p < .001). The mean pre-op apnea-hypopnea index was 39.7 (range, 4.5 to 177), and the mean post-op apnea-hypopnea index was 5.8 (range, 0 to 34). Average improvement in the apnea-hypopnea index was 33.9. The mean follow-up period was 18.7 months (1.6 to 45.2 months). Infants with micrognathia and obstructive sleep apnea may avoid tracheostomy and its inherent risks and complications by undergoing internal mandibular distraction, which is a viable alternative to tracheostomy.

Changes in Central Apnea Index following Pediatric Adenotonsillectomy

To determine if there are changes in the central apnea index (CAI) when pediatric patients undergo adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Case series with chart review. Two tertiary children's hospitals. Children between 1 and 16 years of age who underwent adenotonsillectomy for OSA and had both preoperative and postoperative full-night polysomnography (PSG) with CAI greater than 1 on preoperative PSG were eligible for inclusion. Central apnea was defined as the absence of both inspiratory effort and chest wall movement lasting longer than 20 seconds. Criteria for diagnosis of central sleep apnea (CSA) was CAI greater than 1. A total of 101 children with OSA had preoperative and postoperative PSG. Fifteen of these patients had a preoperative CAI greater than 1. The mean age was 67.7 months (SD, 62.7 months). The CAI ranged from 1.1 to 11.1. The mean preoperative CAI was 3.9 (SD, 2.9), while the mean postoperative CAI was 1.9 (SD, 4.8). There was significant improvement (P = .008) of the CAI following adenotonsillectomy. Ninety percent of subjects with mild CSA (CAI between 1 and 5) had postoperative resolution of their disease. There was also significant improvement (P = .004) in the obstructive apnea hypopnea index (AHI), with the mean preoperative AHI of 22.8 (SD, 19.8) decreasing to an AHI of 5.5 (SD, 6.5) postoperatively. Children with OSA and mild CSA on preoperative PSG showed significant improvement in CAI following adenotonsillectomy. Future studies are needed to determine the clinical significance of CSA in children with OSA and to identify treatment strategies.

Tonsil volume, tonsil grade and obstructive sleep apnea: is there any meaningful correlation?

OBJECTIVES:The aims of this study were to evaluate the correlation between oropharyngeal examination and objective palatine tonsil volume in snoring adults and verify the influence of the oropharyngeal anatomy, body mass index, age, and severity of obstructive sleep apnea on actual tonsil volume. In addition, we aimed to assess the influence of tonsil size on obstructive sleep apnea in adults.INTRODUCTION:Pharyngeal wall geometry is often altered in adults who have obstructive sleep apnea, and this might influence the findings of the oropharyngeal examination that, in turn, are the key factors when considering surgical management for this condition. Furthermore, the correlation between the actual tonsil volume and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea in adults is currently unknown.METHODS:We prospectively studied 130 patients with obstructive sleep apnea or primary snoring who underwent pharyngeal surgery with intraoperative measurement of tonsil volume. We compared tonsil volume with preoperative polysomnography, oropharyngeal examination, and anthropometric data.RESULTS:We found a significant correlation between actual tonsil volume and subjective tonsil grade. We also found a significant correlation between tonsil volume and the apnea-hypopnea index. Using a multivariate linear regression model, tonsil volume was found to be significantly correlated with age, body mass index, and oropharyngeal examination, but not with polysomnography. Clinically, only the rare tonsil grade IV was indicative of more severe obstructive sleep apnea.CONCLUSIONS:There is a strong correlation between clinical tonsil grade and objective tonsil volume in snoring adults, and this correlation exists regardless of the presence or severity of obstructive sleep apnea. Pharyngeal tissue volume likely reflects the body mass index rather than obstructive sleep apnea severity.