Program directors have used USMLE step 1 to identify trainees who are likely to perform well on the CREOG in-training examination. The CREOG in-training examination has been used to identify residents who are likely to pass the ABOG written examination. The results of this study document the strength of these associations.

Objectives The hypoglossal nerve stimulator (HGNS) is currently approved for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with an apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) of >15 to ≤65 events/hour, and a central apnea index (CAI) <25% of the AHI, no complete concentric collapse on drug‐induced sleep endoscopy, and a recommended body mass index (BMI) <32 kg/m2. We present 18 patients implanted as a salvage procedure despite being outside these guidelines. Methods We included all patients who underwent HGNS but who did not meet all FDA guidelines. Demographic data, previous OSA treatments, polysomnographic (PSG) parameters from baseline and HGNS titration PSG, Epworth sleepiness score (ESS), and BMI were compared before and after surgery. Results Eighteen patients were identified: 94.4% male, median age 63 years. Seven underwent previous sleep surgery. Four had an AHI <15 (mean 10.5 events/hour), four had an AHI >65 (mean 86.9 events/hour), two had an elevated CAI (mean 31.3% of AHI), and 12 had a BMI >32 kg/m2 (range 32.1–39.1). Median AHI decreased from 25.3 to 3.75 events/hour on titration polysomnography (P = .0006), oxyhemoglobin saturation nadir increased from 82% to 88.5% (P = .0001) and median ESS dropped from 11 to 7.5 (P = .0016). Fifteen (83.3%) patients achieved surgical success (decrease in AHI >50% and AHI <20 events/hour) and 12 (66.7%) had an AHI <5 events/hour. Neither patient with CAI >25% was successfully treated. Median adherence = 33.5 hours/week. Conclusion Our success rate for patients outside the Food and Drug Administration guidelines for HGNS (67%) was similar to the 1‐year STAR trial results (66%). Future studies are necessary to consider expansion of these guidelines. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 130:866–872, 2020

Study Objectives: Although respiratory abnormalities occurring during wakefulness are well recognized in patients with Rett syndrome (RS), less has been reported regarding sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in this population. This study aims to characterize the presenting complaints, types and severity of SDB, and treatment modalities of patients with RS and sleep concerns. Methods: Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients with RS referred to our academic tertiary care institution from January 2007 to July 2017. Results: Thirteen patients were identified, 11 female (84.6%); mean age at polysomnography (PSG) was 10.3 years (standard deviation 4.94). Eleven were white (84.6%), 2 were black (15.4%). The most common presenting symptoms were snoring (10/13, 77%) and witnessed apnea (7/13, 53.8%). On baseline PSG, all patients (100%) exhibited hyperapneas followed by a central apnea during wake. Nine (69.2%) had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (oAHI) > 1); four had severe OSA (oAHI ≥ 10). One had central sleep apnea (central apnea index > 5) and severe OSA. No patients exhibited hypoventilation on baseline PSG. Mean AHI of all patients was 8.77 ± 8.82 (oAHI 6.51 ± 6.91) events/h. Mean oxyhemoglobin nadir was 88.52 ± 5.6%. Treatment modalities included observation: 5 (38%), acetazolamide: 2 (15%), nasal mometasone: 1 (7.7%), adenotonsillectomy: 3 (23.1%), and positive airway pressure: 2 (15%). Conclusions: Regarding patients with RS referred to the sleep medicine clinic, snoring and witnessed apneas were the most common presenting complaints. In addition to breathing abnormalities during wake, OSA was very common in our cohort. Further studies are needed to examine the pathogenesis of OSA in RS and relationships between disease genotype and respiratory abnormality phenotype.

Objectives Nasal steroids, oral anti‐leukotrienes and supplemental oxygen are effective in the treatment of mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in otherwise healthy children. However, their efficacy is unknown in children with Down syndrome (DS). Here we examine the effect of single medication therapy versus observation versus oxygen on polysomnographic outcomes in these children. Methods We reviewed children (<18 years) diagnosed with DS and mild OSA (obstructive apnea‐hypopnea index [oAHI] ≥1 to <5 events/hour) treated non‐surgically (with supplemental oxygen, one medication, or observation) between 2012 and 2017. Demographic data, comorbid diagnoses, and pre‐ and posttreatment polysomnograms were analyzed. We assessed pre‐ and posttreatment oAHI, oxyhemoglobin saturation nadir, percent total sleep time (%TST) in rapid eye movement (REM), and end‐tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) >50 mmHg. Results Twenty‐four children met inclusion criteria; 10 treated with medication, one with oxygen, and 13 with observation (baseline oAHI was 3.5, 3.3, and 2.9 events/hour, respectively). There was no significant change in oAHI, oxyhemoglobin saturation nadir, ETCO2, or percent TST in REM after treatment for any treatment group (P = .21–.94). There was no association between reported symptoms and AHI severity or change in AHI. OSA resolved in one patient treated with observation and two treated with medication, but worsened in two each in the medication and observation groups. Resolution of OSA occurred in 20% treated with medication, 7.7% with observation, and 0% with oxygen (P = .82). Conclusion In our cohort, resolution of mild OSA was low. This suggests that consideration should be given to multimodality treatments in children with DS and mild OSA. Prospective studies will help establish effectiveness in this cohort. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 130:1828–1835, 2020

Summary Sleep‐disordered breathing has a prevalence of 12% in the pediatric population. It represents a spectrum of disorders encompassing abnormalities of the upper airway that lead to sleep disruption, including primary snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and sleep‐related hypoventilation. Sleep‐disordered breathing is the most common indication for adenotonsillectomy, one of the most common procedures performed in children. In recent years, the American Academy of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists have crafted guidelines to help safely manage children with sleep‐disordered breathing. Each organization recommends in‐laboratory polysomnography for definitive diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in certain cases. However, because this test is both costly and inconvenient, there has been significant interest in alternative methods for diagnosing clinically significant sleep‐disordered breathing. Accurate diagnosis is critical because sleep‐disordered breathing confers certain perioperative risks and increased mortality in some instances. Recent studies have elucidated the danger of anesthesia and opioids in worsening obstructive sleep apnea, and recommendations for alternative analgesia are being created. In addition, determining the most appropriate level and duration of monitoring in the postoperative period is actively being evaluated. This article presents an overview of the recent literature on the perioperative care of pediatric patients with sleep‐disordered breathing. It highlights innovative modalities and limitations in diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea, the importance of a tailored anesthetic/analgesic approach to children with obstructive sleep apnea, and the need for postoperative monitoring. It also brings to focus that further studies on the perioperative care of these children are necessary.