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Tongue Suspension Aids Sleep Apnoea

Minimally invasive tongue-base surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea can be easily performed by otolaryngologists, unlike other established techniques, to overcome tongue base obstruction.

This is the claim made by researchers, based on their study of 19 patients (mean age 44.9 years) who took part in a prospective, non-randomized single-institution study of minimally invasive tongue base surgery. The patients had moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea and underwent tongue suspension using the Respose system and concomitant palatopharyngoplasty.

It was found that of the 12 patients who underwent polysomnography, eight (67 percent of the 12) met the standard criteria for surgical response. Among these eight, the apnoea-hypopnoea index improved from 32.4 to 14.4 (individual scores fell by a mean of 51.7 percent). The apnoea index improved from 7.4 to 0.9 (individual scores falling by a mean of 81.4 percent).

Dr DJ Terris, of the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, United States, said, "There was anatomic and radiographic evidence of multilevel upper airway enlargement. Notably, the body mass index remained essentially unchanged."

The mean Epworth sleepiness scale score fell and there were no serious, long-term complications.

Dr Terris said, "The tongue suspension procedure represents a minimally invasive technique for improving the nocturnal retro-lingual airway in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. It is easily performed by otolaryngologists, distinguishing it from other established techniques designed to address tongue base obstruction."
J Laryngol Otol 2002;116(9):716-21. "Minimally invasive tongue base surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea."

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