BackgroundContinuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is typically recommended as first line therapy for obstructive sleep apnea, but the adherence rate of CPAP is problematic. This study’s objective was to systematically review the literature relating to CPAP as first line therapy for OSA and compare it to surgical literature on the same topic.MethodsA systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, examining Medline-Ovid, Embase, and Pubmed databases. The primary search objective was to identify all papers reporting the results of (1) randomized clinical trials (RCT) of CPAP for the treatment of adults with OSA; and (2) both randomized and non-randomized clinical trials and case series on the surgical treatment of OSA in adults. A PhD-level biostatistician first screened papers, and then those that met study criteria were retrieved and analyzed using standardized forms for each author. The primary outcomes were adherence rates of CPAP.ResultsA total of 82 controlled clinical trials for CPAP and 69 controlled and non-controlled surgery trials were identified for analysis. Variation in CPAP use within reported RCT trials were identified, and the majority of patients in the studies would eventually be considered non-adherent to CPAP.ConclusionsWhen considering the numerous patient-related factors that come into play when CPAP is prescribed, the concept of CPAP as gold-standard therapy for OSA should be reconsidered. In many cases surgery can provide a better overall outcome. This study’s results suggest that certain patients with OSA may be managed more effectively with surgery than CPAP, without confounding issues of treatment adherence.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40463-016-0136-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

This study seeks to determine the success rates of the expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty and its variants on the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Systematic review and meta-analysis. Two independent searches of MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library and Evidence Based Medicine Reviews to identify publications relevant to OSA and expansion pharyngoplasty. All relevant studies published before 31 March 2015 were included. Five studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The numbers of patients in each paper ranged from 10 to 85 (total = 155), and mean age ranged from 8 to 56 years. Substantial and consistent improvement in PSG outcomes were observed post-expansion pharyngoplasty patients, with or without multilevel surgery groups. The results showed that the expansion pharyngoplasty technique has significantly lower AHI than control group [Standardised mean difference -7.32, 95 %CI (-11.11, -3.52), p = 0.0002]; however, substantial heterogeneity between these studies were observed. The mean pre-operative AHI (in the five papers) improved from 40.0 ± 12.6 to 8.3 ± 5.2 post-operatively. The overall pro-rated pooled success rate for all the patients was 86.3 %. The expansion pharyngoplasty is effective in the management of patients with OSA.

Objectives/Hypothesis Our objective was to determine whether drug‐induced sleep apnea (DISE) affects the successfulness of the surgical outcome. Study Design Prospective, seven‐country, nonrandomized trial. Methods There were 326 consecutive obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients who had nose, palate, and/or tongue surgery included in the study. DISE was performed in only one group. Results There were 170 patients in the DISE group and 156 patients in no‐DISE group. The mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) for the DISE group was 27.6 ± 4.6, whereas in the no‐DISE group it was 28.1 ± 3.9 (P = .23). The mean preoperative systolic blood pressure (SBP) for the DISE group was 130.4 ± 16.7, whereas in the no‐DISE group it was 142.9 ± 15.5 (P < .001). The mean preoperative diastolic blood pressure (DBP) for the DISE group was 81.4 ± 9.7, whereas in the no‐DISE group it was 89.1 ± 9.7 (P < .001). The mean preoperative apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) for the DISE group was 32.6 ± 18.8, whereas in the no‐DISE group it was 33.7 ± 19.6 (P = .61). The mean postoperative AHI for the DISE group was 15.9 ± 12.6, whereas in the no‐DISE group it was 13.2 ± 8.8 (P = .023). The age‐, gender‐, BMI‐adjusted percentage change in AHI for the DISE group was −48.4 ± 31.9, whereas in the no‐DISE group it was −59.8 ± 18.6 (P < .001). The age‐, gender‐, and BMI‐adjusted success rate for the DISE group was 66.5%, whereas in the no‐DISE group it was 80.8% (P = .004). The age‐, gender‐, and BMI‐adjusted change in SBP for the DISE group was −6.1 ± 8.6, whereas in the no‐DISE group it was −13.3 ± 11.1 (P < .001). The age‐, gender‐, and BMI‐adjusted change in DBP in the DISE group was −5.2 ± 12.1, whereas in the no‐DISE group it was −12.4 ± 11.7 (P < .001). The mean age‐ and gender‐adjusted change in BMI for the DISE group was −4.6 ± 12.9, whereas in the no‐DISE group it was −6.3 ± 18.5 (P = .34). The Cohen effect of BMI on the overall AHI, lowest oxygen saturation, and blood pressure changes was 0.08. Conclusions DISE may not significantly affect surgical success in OSA. Level of Evidence 2c Laryngoscope, 130:551–555, 2020

To evaluate the success rates of combined Expansion Sphincter Pharyngoplasty and the Anterior Palatoplasty in the treatment of OSA. A two center prospective series of 73 patients with OSA. All patients were [18 years old, retro-palatal obstruction, concentric velo-pharyngeal collapse, BMI \ 33, Friedman clinical stage II, with all grades of AHI. The procedure involved the anterior palatoplasty, tonsillectomy and expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty with or without nasal surgery. There were 68 men and 5 women, the mean age was 46.8 years old (range of 25-67 years), mean BMI was 25.5 (range of 20.3-31.2). All patients had pre-operative and post-operative PSG. The AHI improved in all patients, mean AHI improved from 26.3 ± 17.7 to 12.6 ± 5.8 (p \ 0.001). There were 20 mild OSA, 33 moderate OSA and 20 severe OSA patients. Twenty-three patients had preoperative DISE, and 61 patients had nose/palate surgery, while only 12 had palate surgery alone. The overall success rate (50 % reduction and AHI \ 20) was 86.3 %. The mean snore scores (VAS) improved from 8.8 ± 1.2 to 2.0 ± 1.3 (p \ 0.001). The mean Epworth score improved from 11.5 ± 2.2 to 2.9 ± 2.1 (p \ 0.001). Lowest oxygen saturation also improved in all patients. Subjectively, all the patients felt less tiredness. Pre-operative DISE assessment did not seem to confer any advantage over the patients who had no pre-operative DISE (p = 0.027), and patients who had nose/palate surgery seemed to have better success rates compared to those who only had palate surgery (p = 0.081). This combined technique has been shown to be effective in selected group of OSA patients. Level of evidence IV.

Background: Evaluation and interpretation of the literature on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) allows for consolidation and determination of the key factors important for clinical management of the adult OSA patient. Toward this goal, an international collaborative of multidisciplinary experts in sleep apnea evaluation and treatment have produced the International Consensus statement on Obstructive Sleep Apnea (ICS:OSA). Methods: Using previously defined methodology, focal topics in OSA were assigned as literature review (LR), evidence-based review (EBR), or evidencebased review with recommendations (EBR-R) formats. Each topic incorporated the available and relevant evidence which was summarized and graded on study quality. Each topic and section underwent iterative review and the ICS:OSA was created and reviewed by all authors for consensus. Results: The ICS:OSA addresses OSA syndrome definitions, pathophysiology, epidemiology, risk factors for disease, screening methods, diagnostic testing types, multiple treatment modalities, and effects of OSA treatment on multiple OSA-associated comorbidities. Specific focus on outcomes with positive airway pressure (PAP) and surgical treatments were evaluated. Conclusion:This review of the literature consolidates the available knowledge and identifies the limitations of the current evidence on OSA. This effort aims to create a resource for OSA evidence-based practice and identify future research needs. Knowledge gaps and research opportunities include improving the metrics of OSA disease, determining the optimal OSA screening paradigms, developing strategies for PAP adherence and longitudinal care, enhancing selection of PAP alternatives and surgery, understanding health risk outcomes, and translating evidence into individualized approaches to therapy.