Purpose of the Study:To evaluate the feasibility, tolerability and efficacy of tongue base management by means of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in patients suffering from the obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) primarily related to hypertrophy of the tongue base. Procedure:Seventeen patients with OSAHS principally related to tongue base hypertrophy were managed by means of TORS (Intuitive da Vinci®). Patients with a minimum follow-up of 3 months were evaluated. Results: Ten patients [mean preoperative apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI): 38.3 ± 23.5 SD] were included in the study. By means of robotic technology, the tongue base and the epiglottis could be managed. The postoperative polysomnographic results were fairly good (mean postoperative AHI: 20.6 ± 17.3 SD), and the functional results (pain, swallowing and quality of life) are very encouraging; altogether, complications were rare and of minor importance. Conclusions: Transoral robotic tongue base management in patients with OSAHS primarily related to tongue base hypertrophy is feasible and well tolerable. These preliminary results are encouraging and worthy of further evaluation.

Tongue base hypertrophy can be safely and effectively managed by TORS in OSAHS. Our midterm data are encouraging and worthy of further evaluation.

Background: The aim of this study was to create benchmarks for evaluating clinical outcomes and complications of transoral robotic surgeries (TORS) in a multicenter setting. Methods: 243 TORS for obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) operations, carried out between 2008 and 2012, were analyzed at 7 different centers. The average hospitalization was 3.5 days. The mean patient age was 50 ± 12 years, the average BMI at the time of the procedure was 28.53 ± 3.87 and the majority of the patients were men (81%). Results: The mean preoperative and postoperative apnea/hypopnea index was 43.0 ± 22.6 and 17.9 ± 18.4, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean preoperative and postoperative Epworth Sleepiness Scale score was 12.34 ± 5.19 and 5.7 ± 3.49, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean pre- and postoperative lowest O₂ saturation was 79.5 ± 8.77 and 83.9 ± 6.38%, respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients undergoing TORS as part of a multilevel approach for the treatment of OSAHS have a reasonable expectation of success with minimal long-term morbidity.