The efficacy of upper airway stimulation compared to TE-UPPP

Introduction:

Upper airway stimulation (UAS) is a therapy alternative for patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of UAS compared to patients with tonsillectomy and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (TE-UPPP).

Material and Methods:

Patients with UAS were compared to patients after TE-UPPP and matched regarding age, body mass index and apnea hypopnea index (AHI), but showed differences regarding upper airway anatomy. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated by applying the responder rate, percentage of patients with a postoperative AHI < 10/h and < 5/h and the reduction of subjective daytime symptoms.

Results:

In both groups 43 patients were included retrospectively. In the UAS group the initial AHI of 33,1 ± 14,1/h was reduced to 7,8 ± 8,4/h and in the TE-UPPP group from 31,1 ± 15,4/h to 11,9 ± 11,8/h (p < 0.001, respectively). The responder rate in the UAS group was 90,6% and in the TE-UPPP group 71.9% (p < 0.05). The percentage of patients with a postoperative AHI of < 10/h and < 5/h was 81.3% and 59.4% in the UAS group and 43.8% and 33.3% in the TE-UPPP group (p < 0.05 compared to UAS). Regarding the effect on the subjective daytime symptoms there was no significant difference between the groups.

Conclusion:

Both UAS and TE-UPPP effectively reduce the initial AHI in obstructive sleep apnea. There are signs for a superior efficacy of UAS, even though there might be differences regarding the upper airway anatomy between the two groups.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)