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Sleep is fundamental for both health and wellness. The advent of "on a chip" and "smartphone" technologies have created an explosion of inexpensive, at-home applications and devices specifically addressing sleep health and sleep disordered breathing. Sleep-related smartphone Applications and devices are offering diagnosis, management, and treatment of a variety of sleep disorders, mainly obstructive sleep apnea. New technology requires both a learning curve and a review of reliability. Our objective was to evaluate which app have scientific publications as well as their potential to help in the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of sleep disordered breathing.We search for relevant sleep apnea related apps on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. In addition, an exhaustive literature search was carried out in MEDLINE, EMBase, web of science and Scopus for works of apps or devices that have published in the scientific literature and have been used in a clinical setting for diagnosis or treatment of sleep disordered breathing performing a systematic review.We found 10 smartphone apps that met the inclusion criteria.The development of these apps and devices has a great future, but today are not as accurate as other traditional options. This new technology offers accessible, inexpensive, and continuous at home data monitoring of obstructive sleep apnea, but still does not count with proper testing and their validation may be unreliable.

Purpose: This article presents a narrative review of current recommendations for the clinical evaluation and management of adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to identify points missing from a myofunctional perspective. Methods: The authors reviewed current official guidelines for adult patients with OSA, searching clinical evaluation and treatment recommendations for myofunctional therapy. Results: None of the current guidelines for evaluation of adult OSA recommend performing a myofunctional evaluation. Only two guidelines consider myofunctional therapy (MFT) as a treatment modality for adult patients with OSA. Conclusion: Despite the role of the pharyngeal dilator muscles as an essential contributor to the pathogenesis of OSA, this review has shown that myofunctional assessment is still not a standard recommendation in current guidelines for adult OSA. Recent guidelines occasionally include MFT as a therapeutic tool for OSA. To strengthen the knowledge base and evidence for including MFT treatment for adult patients with OSA, the authors encourage physicians to incorporate myofunctional evaluation into their regular clinical practice.

Purpose To describe the anatomic relationship of the lingual nerve with the lateral oropharyngeal structures. Methods An anatomic dissection of the lateral oropharyngeal wall was conducted in eight sides from four fresh-frozen cadaveric heads. Small titanium clips were placed along the lingual nerve and the most anterior and medial border of the medial pterygoid muscle. Radiological reconstructions were employed for optimal visualization; the coronal view was preferred to resemble the surgical position. The distance between the lingual nerve and the medial pterygoid muscle at its upper and lower portion was measured radiologically. The trajectory angle of the lingual nerve with respect to the pterygomandibular raphe was obtained from the intersection between the vector generated between the clips connecting the upper and lower portion of the medial pterygoid muscle with the vector generated from the lingual nerve clips. Results The mean distance from the upper portion of the medial pterygoid muscle and superior lingual nerve clips was 10.16 ± 2.18 mm (mean ± standard deviation), and the lower area of the medial pterygoid muscle to the lingual nerve was separated 5.05 ± 1.49 mm. The trajectory angle of the lingual nerve concerning to the vector that describes the upper portion of the most anterior and medial border of the medial pterygoid muscle with its lower part was 43.73º ± 11.29. Conclusions The lingual nerve runs lateral to the lateral oropharyngeal wall, from superiorly–inferiorly and laterally–medially, and it is closer to it at its lower third.

Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) is a condition of the oral cavity in which an abnormally short lingual frenulum affects the tongue’s mobility. Literature on the correlation between ankyloglossia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is scarce. The main objective of this study was to report our preliminary experience in adult OSA patients before and after ankyloglossia treatment, using drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) to evaluate the upper airway modifications resulting after treatment, and to present a systematic review of the impact of ankyloglossia and its treatment on OSA adults. We found that, after frenotomy, regarding the DISE findings, and according to the VOTE classification, two of the three patients showed an improvement in tongue level, from 2A-P (complete anteroposterior collapse) to 1ap (partial anteroposterior collapse). The third patient showed no changes in his UA after frenotomy, neither worsening nor showing improvement. Thus, the results of this study suggest that frenotomy in OSA patients with ankyloglossia could reduce tongue collapse, probably by allowing the tongue to take into the physiological position in the oral cavity. These patients should undergo speech therapy and oropharyngeal exercises prior to any surgical procedure, in order to avoid glossoptosis and to improve the quality of life and sleep apnea results.

La rééducation myofonctionnelle orofaciale a été montrée efficace dans la prise en charge multidisciplinaire du syndrome d’apnées obstructives du sommeil chez l’enfant, l’adolescent et l’adulte, et elle est prescrite à plusieurs étapes de ces prises en charge. Cependant, compte tenu du manque d’homogénéité des protocoles de traitement et de mesures des résultats, du manque de recherches sur le type, la fréquence et la durée des exercices myofonctionnels et sur les phénotypes spécifiques qui peuvent en bénéficier, il apparait nécessaire de définir des recommandations de bonne pratique. Un consensus de recommandations Delphi consacré à l’évaluation et au traitement myofonctionnel orofacial pour les patients atteints de SAOS, a été mis en œuvre à l’initiative de Marc Richard Moeller. Les deux premières étapes du consensus de recommandations Delphi sont achevées. La troisième étape, consacrée à l’élaboration du questionnaire aura lieu lors de la réunion conjointe de la World Sleep Society et de l’Academy of Applied Myofunctional Sciences, en mars 2022 à Rome. Les conclusions du consensus de recommandations Delphi seront publiées l’année suivante et largement diffusées.

La rééducation myofonctionnelle orofaciale (RMOF) a été montrée efficace dans le traitement multidisciplinaire des syndromes d’apnées obstructives du sommeil (SAOS) de l’enfant, de l’adolescent et de l’adulte et elle est prescrite à plusieurs étapes de ces prises en charge. La santé connectée fait appel à l’utilisation de messages électroniques, à une surveillance à distance, à des plateformes de télémédecine du sommeil et à des applications de santé mobile. Les objets connectés aident au diagnostic du SAOS, ils permettent la télésurveillance des patients traités par pression positive continue et facilitent la prise en charge des comorbidités liées au SAOS. La première application conçue pour réaliser une RMOF chez des patients souffrant de SAOS, nommée Airway Gym®, a été conçue par O’Connor-Reina et al. en 2017. Elle permet au patient d’interagir directement avec le smartphone sans avoir besoin d’un autre appareil et elle vise à améliorer la tonicité des différents muscles impliqués dans la pathogenèse du SAOS. Un essai clinique randomisé a évalué les effets de l’application Airway Gym® chez des patients atteints de SAOS sévère, et montré des améliorations significatives de l’IAH, du score de l’échelle de somnolence d’Epworth, de la saturation minimale en O2, du score maximal de la langue IOPI et du score maximal des lèvres IOPI.

PURPOSE: The aim of our retrospective study is evaluating the effectiveness of barbed repositioning pharyngoplasty (BRP) in a consecutive cohort of patients and assessing its impact on positional indexes in order to potentially identify specific obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) phenotypes for patients who might benefit more significantly from this intervention. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study with baseline and follow-up type III sleep tests evaluating the Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI), supine AHI, non-supine AHI, oxygen desaturation index (ODI), mean SaO2, percentage of time spent at SaO2 below 90% (CT90), and lowest oxygen saturation (LOS) were performed. The patients were then divided into groups according to Sher’s criteria and Amsterdam Positional OSA Classification (APOC). Parametric and non-parametric tests and univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The study finally included 47 patients. The statistical analysis showed significant improvement in AHI, supine AHI, non-supine AHI, and ODI after surgery. The linear regression showed that high values of baseline AHI, AHI supine, and AHI non supine predict more significant postoperative reductions in AHI, AHI supine, and AHI non supine, respectively. Therapeutic success was achieved in 22 patients out of 47. The logistic regression did not find any independent risk factors for success. The most significant reduction in AHI, supine AHI, and non-supine AHI was observed in the APOC 3 group while the APOC 1 patients experience a substantially lower improvement. CONCLUSIONS: BRP appears to be an effective surgical procedure for the treatment of OSA. The non-positional patients might benefit more from BRP in comparison with positional patients. Moreover, OSA severity should not be considered an absolute contra-indication for this surgical procedure.

Introducción y objetivo: Dentro de las posibles causas de AOS, aunque poco frecuentes, están las alteraciones de la epiglotis. El objetivo de este trabajo es destacar su importancia e insistir en su diagnóstico activo ya que en casos bien seleccionados se puede tratar quirúrgicamente. Síntesis: Se detalla la importancia de la epiglotis como causa de AOS, su exploración y las alternativas quirúrgicas posibles. Conclusiones: La epiglotis es una estructura anatómica que generalmente pasa desapercibida como causa de AOS en adultos y que puede provocar una AOS de carácter incluso severo. Debe ser estudiada de una manera activa. Es probable que su participación en la AOS no se revele durante la exploración con el paciente despierto y sea necesario recurrir a la DISE para apreciar el modo en que colapsa durante la inspiración del paciente dormido. Se describen algunas técnicas quirúrgicas ya que supone una buena elección en muchos pacientes debidamente seleccionados.

Resumen Objetivo El objetivo de este estudio es crear y validar un cuestionario abreviado de la version espanola del Transsexual Voice Questionnaire for Male-to-Female Transsexuals (VeTVQMtF). Metodologia El estudio fue dirigido por 2 hospitales de referencia para la feminizacion quirurgica de la voz y por un departamento universitario de psicologia y rehabilitacion vocal, todos ellos en Espana. Material y metodos Se realizo un estudio prospectivo de 51 mujeres transexuales a las que se les intervino de feminizacion quirurgica de la voz entre enero 2017 y diciembre 2018. La VeTVQMtF fue rellenada por las mujeres transexuales antes y despues de la cirugia y los 10 items de este cuestionario que mas variaron fueron seleccionados por un grupo de expertos en feminizacion de la voz, para desarrollar la version abreviada de la VeTVQMtF (VeTVQMtF-10). Se estudio la correlacion entre la puntuacion total y la puntuacion de cada item en la VeTVQMtF y en la VeTVQMtF-10. Se analizo la consistencia interna de la VeTVQMtF-10. Resultados Se encontro una buena correlacion entre los 2 cuestionarios (coeficiente de Pearson > 0,90), una buena correlacion entre la puntuacion total y la puntuacion de cada item de la VeTVQMtF-10 y una correlacion negativa entre la de la VeTVQMtF y la frecuencia fundamental de la voz tras la cirugia. El α Cronbach fue de 0,79. Conclusion La VeTVQMtF-10 es una version abreviada valida de la VeTVQMtF y podria usarse para valorar la calidad de vida relacionada con la voz en mujeres transexuales en el idioma espanol.

This document introduces drug-induced sleep endoscopy to the specialist treating sleep breathing disorders and is intended as a guide for those willing to perform the procedure so that it can be reproducible.

Background Myofunctional therapy (MT) is a therapeutic option with demonstrated efficacy for treating sleep-disordered breathing. We assessed the clinical application of a newly developed m-Health App, which aimed to allow patients with OSAHS (obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome) to perform oropharyngeal exercises only by interacting with their smartphone without no other devices. Methods We offered to treat the OSAHS of 20 patients with the App for 90 sessions. Inclusion criteria were adult patients diagnosed with OSAHS who rejected, or could not tolerate or afford treatment for their OSAHS with other modalities. The App was used by 15 patients, while 5 were noncompliant and then were used as a control group. Polygraphy was performed at the beginning of the study, and after 90 sessions in the App group or after 3 months in the control group. Data for adherence to treatment, sex, body mass index (BMI), age, O2MIN (oxygen minimal saturation) and apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) were collected for both groups. Results 15 (75%) patients showed adherence to the treatment as measured as performing the exercises daily 5 days a week. In patients who performed the exercises, AHI decreased from 25.78 ± 12.6 to 14.1 ± 7,7 (p = 0.002), Epworth changed from 18,2 ± 1,98 to 14,2 ± 7,7(p = 0,002) and (O2MIN) changed from 84,87 ± 7.02 to 89,27 ± 3,77 (p = 0.0189). In the control group, there was no significant change. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study reported where a mHealth App based on MT could be by itself a therapeutic option in selected patients with OSAHS.

Mandibular advancement devices (MAD) are an effective alternative treatment to CPAP. Different maneuvers were performed during drug sleep-induced endoscopy (DISE) to mimic the effect of MAD. Using the Selector Avance Mandibular (SAM) device, we aimed to identify MAD candidates during DISE using a titratable, reproducible, and measurable maneuver. This DISE-SAM protocol may help to find the relationship between the severity of the respiratory disorder and the degree of response and determine the advancement required to improve the collapsibility of the upper airway. Explorations were performed in 161 patients (132 males; 29 females) with a mean age of 46.81 (SD = 11.42) years, BMI of 27.90 (SD = 4.19) kg/m2, and a mean AHI of 26.51 (SD = 21.23). The results showed no relationship between severity and MAD recommendation. Furthermore, there was a weak positive relationship between the advancement required to obtain a response and the disease severity. Using the DISE-SAM protocol, the response and the range of mandibular protrusion were assessed, avoiding the interexaminer bias of the jaw thrust maneuver. We suggest prescribing MAD as a single, alternative, or multiple treatment approaches following the SAM recommendations in a personalized design.

Mandibular advancement devices (MAD) are an effective alternative treatment to CPAP. However, different maneuvers have been performed during the performance of drug sleep-induced endoscopy (DISE) to mimic the effect of MAD. Using the Selector Avance Mandibular (SAM) device, we aimed to identify MAD candidates during DISE using a titratable, reproducible, and measurable maneuver. This DISE-SAM protocol may help to find the relationship between the severity of the respiratory disorder and the degree of response, and to determine the advancement required to improve the collapsibility of the upper airway. Explorations were performed in 161 patients (132 males; 29 females) with a mean age of 46.81 (SD = 11.42) years, a BMI of 27.90 (SD = 4.19) kg/m2 and a mean AHI of 26.51 (SD = 21.23). Results showed no relationship between severity and MAD recommendation. Also, there was a weak positive relationship between the advancement required to obtain a response and the disease severity. Using the DISE-SAM protocol, the response and the range of mandibular protrusion were assessed, avoiding the inter-examiner bias of the jaw thrust maneuver. We suggest prescribing MAD as a single, alternative, or multiple treatment approaches following the SAM recommendations in a personalized design.

Retinal findings may change in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The present study aims to evaluate several retinal findings, such as macula layer thickness, the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer, and the optic nerve head in patients with OSAS, using optical coherence tomography (OCT); it also aims to monitor the result of several types of treatment of OSAS with OCT. A prospective comparative study was designed. Patients were recruited at a Sleep Unit of a University Hospital and underwent comprehensive ophthalmological examinations. Following exclusion criteria, fifty-two patients with OSAS were finally included. Patients were examined by OCT twice: once before treatment, and again after six months of treatment. In mild–moderate patients, where retinal swelling had been demonstrated, retinal thicknesses decreased [fovea (p = 0.026), as did inner ring macula (p = 0.007), outer ring macula (p = 0.015), and macular volume (p = 0.015)]. In severe patients, where retinal atrophy had been observed, retinal thickness increased [fovea (p < 0.001)]. No statistically significant differences in efficacy between treatments were demonstrated. In conclusion, OCT can evaluate the retina in patients with OSAS and help to monitor results after treatment. In severe OSAS, retinal thickness increased six months after treatment.

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a relatively young technique principally devised for managing apneas in the tongue base area. This study summarizes and presents our personal experience with TORS for OSA treatment, with the aim to provide information regarding its safety, efficacy, and postoperative complications. A retrospective study was conducted on patients undergoing TORS with lingual tonsillectomy through the Da Vinci robot. The effectiveness of the surgical procedure was assessed employing the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and overnight polysomnography with the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). A total of 57 patients were included. Eighteen patients (31.6%) had undergone previous surgery. The mean time of TORS procedure was 30 min. Base of tongue (BOT) management was associated with other procedures in all patients: pharyngoplasty (94%), tonsillectomy (66%), and septoplasty (58%). At 6 months follow-up visit, there was a significant improvement in AHI values (from 38.62 ± 20.36 to 24.33 ± 19.68) and ESS values (from 14.25 ± 3.97 to 8.25 ± 3.3). The surgical success rate was achieved in 35.5% of patients. The most frequent major complication was bleeding, with the need for operative intervention in three cases (5.3%). The most common minor complications were mild dehydration and pain. TORS for OSA treatment appears to be an effective and safe procedure for adequately selected patients looking for an alternative therapy to CPAP.

We report the results of one-stage multilevel upper airway surgery for patients who could not tolerate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Patients treated with multilevel surgery at a University Hospital in 2015–2019 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. The inclusion criteria were aged 18–70 years, body mass index (BMI) &lt, 35 kg/m2, apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) &gt, 20, and lingual tonsil hypertrophy grade 3 or 4. Drug-induced sleep endoscopy was performed before surgery in all patients. Multilevel surgery was performed in one stage and included expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty (ESP), coblation tongue base reduction (CTBR), and partial epiglottectomy (PE) as required. The outcome measures were postoperative AHI, time percentage oxygen saturation &lt, 90%, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score. A total of 24 patients were included: median age 49.1 years, average BMI 27.26 kg/m2, and 90% men. Ten patients received ESP plus CTBR plus PE, eight received ESP plus CTBR, and six received ESP plus PE. The mean preoperative AHI was 33.01 at baseline and improved to 17.7 ± 13 after surgery (p &lt, 0.05). The ESS score decreased from 11 ± 5.11 to 7.9 ± 4.94 (p &lt, 0.05). The surgical success rate according to Sher’s criteria was 82.3%. The median follow-up was 23.3 months (range 12–36). These findings suggest that multilevel surgery is a safe and successful treatment of OSAHS.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation of retrolingual obstruction determined by drug induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) and awake endoscopy evaluation of Muller maneuver (MM) and lingual tonsil hypertrophy (LTH) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.A prospective cohort of 100 patients with obstructive sleep apnea who underwent DISE was assessed. The inclusion criteria were age between 18 and 70 years, and apnea-hypopnea index higher than 5. Friedman staging, LTH and MM were determined by awake endoscopy, as other physical findings. The authors evaluated the correlation of retrolingual obstruction determined by DISE using velum oropharynx tongue, epiglottis (VOTE) and nose, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx (NOHL) classification.When retrolingual MM was assessed, significant changes between awake and DISE were observed ( P = 0.000). Conversely, Friedman stage had no significant changes to DISE retrolingual findings ( P = 0.868). Analyzing LTH and DISE retrolingual findings according to NOHL and VOTE, if a cutoff value was established at 50%, DISE findings differ from awake: NOHL ( P0.001) and VOTE ( P = 0.004). Nevertheless, if a restrictive cutoff at 75% was attached, DISE findings were similar to awake: NOHL ( P = 0.124) and VOTE ( P = 0.123).This study demonstrates that awake endoscopy determining LTH and Friedman stage is a mild predictor of collapse at retrolingual level, showing significant correlation to DISE only when severe retrolingual collapse is present. Our findings suggest that in-office awake endoscopy may have certain predictive value to select surgical patients.

Myofunctional therapy (MFT) may have a role in improving muscle tone and alleviating upper airway collapse in sleep-disordered breathing. The purposes of this state-of-the-art review are to first review systematically the current literature on the effectiveness of MFT in treating sleep-disordered breathing and then to provide an overview of the current understanding of patient selection, side effects, type and duration of exercises, guidance of exercise performance, evaluation of results, and how best to promote adherence. PubMed (Medline), the Cochrane Library, and the EMBASE, Scopus and SciELO databases were checked for relevant studies by three authors, and a total of 23 studies were included. This review focuses only on adults with sleep-disordered breathing. The available evidence shows a positive effect of MFT in reducing sleep apnoea, as measured using polysomnography and clinical variables (including snoring). There is no evidence of the utility of MFT for treating upper airway resistance syndrome, the duration of the effects of MFT, or regarding which MFT protocol is best. Despite these knowledge gaps, the available evidence suggests that MFT is a safe treatment modality.

We introduce the first case reported to date of a floppy closing door epiglottis in an OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) patient treated successfully with an Mhealth smartphone application based on myofunctional therapy.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the long-term effectiveness of Expansion Sphincter Pharyngoplasty (ESP) as a standalone surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients through a prospective multi-center study.A prospective non-comparative multicenter study of patients suffering from OSHAS selected after drug-induced sleep endoscopy, with ESP as standing alone procedure was performed. Inclusion criteria were lateral collapse on oropharynx and preoperative AHI between 5 and 70. Minimum follow-up was12 months. Outcome measures were Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), AHI, success rate and CPAP need after surgery.A total of 75 ESP were performed. Mean patient age was 46.7 ± 10.5 years. Mean pre-operative and post-operative AHI was 22.1 ± 12.2 and 8.6 ± 6.7, respectively (p .001). Mean pre-operative and post-operative ESS score was 11.5 ± 4.7 and 4.6 ± 6.6, respectively (p .001). AHI5 was obtained in 25 patients (33.3%), and CPAP was not further needed after surgery in a total of 62 patients (82.6%).In this prospective multi-center study, patients undergoing ESP standing alone for the treatment of OSAHS have a reasonable expectation for success with minimal morbidity.

BACKGROUND Myofunctional therapy is currently a reasonable therapeutic option to treat obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). This therapy is based on performing regular exercises of the upper airway muscles to increase their tone and prevent their collapse. Over the past decade, there has been an increasing number of publications in this area; however, to our knowledge, there are no studies focused on patients who can most benefit from this therapy. OBJECTIVE This protocol describes a case-control clinical trial aimed at determining the muscular features of patients recently diagnosed with severe OSAHS compared with those of healthy controls. METHODS Patients meeting set criteria will be sequentially enrolled up to a sample size of 40. Twenty patients who meet the inclusion criteria for controls will also be evaluated. Patients will be examined by a qualified phonoaudiologist who will take biometric measurements and administer the Expanded Protocol of Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores (OMES), Friedman Staging System, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaires. Measures of upper airway muscle tone will also be performed using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument and tongue digital spoon devices. Evaluation will be recorded and reevaluated by a second specialist to determine concordance between observers. RESULTS A total of 60 patients will be enrolled. Both the group with severe OSAHS (40 patients) and the control group (20 subjects) will be assessed for differences between upper airway muscle tone and OMES questionnaire responses. CONCLUSIONS This study will help to determine muscle patterns in patients with severe OSAHS and can be used to fill the gap currently present in the assessment of patients suitable to be treated with myofunctional therapy. CLINICALTRIAL ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN12596010; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12596010 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/30500

Background We present the first case of a patient with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA), where drug induced sleep endoscopy was helpful to suspect a non-acid reflux disease and showed an improvement in a swollen epiglottis after treatment. Patient ameliorated significantly his disease only with medical therapy. Case presentation A 54-year-old man without significant anatomical findings with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and non-acid gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) disease whose Apnea- hypopnea index (AHI) was significantly reduced with the intake of 500 mg of sodium alginate twice a day for 6 months. Conventional digestive tests such as esophagoscopy and simple- and double-channel 24-h pH-metry suggested mild GERD. Conventional proton-pump inhibitor treatment with pantoprazole (40 mg daily) was started without any improvement in his sleep. Multichannel intraluminal 24-h impedanciometry indicated the presence of severe pathological GER of gaseous origin. The patient’s AHI decreased from 25.3 at baseline to 8 after treatment with sodium alginate. A drug-induced sleep endoscopy study showed the changes before and after this treatment and was helpful for the diagnosis. Conclusions Thus, medical treatment can be a therapeutic option in some patients with OSA. Multichannel 24-h impedanciometry should be performed when nonacid GERD is suspected.

Four phenotypes of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) have been identified. Only one of these is anatomical. As such, anatomically based treatments for OSAHS may not fully resolve the condition. Equally, compliance and uptake of gold-standard treatments is inadequate. This has led to interest in novel therapies that provide the basis for personalized treatment protocols. This review examines each of the four phenotypes of OSAHS and explores how these could be targeted using breathing re-education from three dimensions of functional breathing: biochemical, biomechanical and resonant frequency. Breathing re-education and myofunctional therapy may be helpful for patients across all four phenotypes of OSAHS. More research is urgently needed to investigate the therapeutic benefits of restoring nasal breathing and functional breathing patterns across all three dimensions in order to provide a treatment approach that is tailored to the individual patient.

Objective: To assess clinical and functional outcomes of a fat graft myringoplasty under local in an office setting. Study Design: Prospective case series. Setting: Tertiary care facility. Patients: Patients with a tympanic membrane (TM) perforation presenting between December 2005 and June 2019. Inclusion criteria included perforation size >25% of the surface of the pars tensa of the TM, entire perforation margins visualized through a transcanal view, and lack of spontaneous closure at the 6-month follow-up. The exclusion criteria were the presence of cholesteatoma, wet appearance of the mucosa in the tympanic cavity, ear discharge in the 3 months before surgery, or signs of ossicular inconsistency. Intervention: In-office fat graft myringoplasty technique under local anesthesia. Main outcome Measures: Complete perforation closure rate and audiometric outcomes. Results: A total of 121 patients underwent the procedure, of whom 21 had bilateral sequential procedures (total 142 ears). Average age was 51.1 ± 18.4 years (range, 3-78 years). The size of perforation was Conclusion: In office fat graft myringoplasty, in adult and pediatric patients with variable perforation sizes, is a well-tolerated procedure with very satisfactory clinical results.

BackgroundMyofunctional therapy has demonstrated efficacy in treating sleep-disordered breathing. We assessed the clinical use of a new mobile health (mHealth) app that uses a smartphone to teach patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) to perform oropharyngeal exercises.ObjectiveWe conducted a pilot randomized trial to evaluate the effects of the app in patients with severe OSAHS.MethodsForty patients with severe OSAHS (apnea–hypoxia index [AHI]>30) were enrolled prospectively and randomized into an intervention group that used the app for 90 sessions or a control group. Anthropometric measures, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (0-24), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (0-21), Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) scores, and oxygen desaturation index were measured before and after the intervention.ResultsAfter the intervention, 28 patients remained. No significant changes were observed in the control group; however, the intervention group showed significant improvements in most metrics. AHI decreased by 53.4% from 44.7 (range 33.8-55.6) to 20.88 (14.02-27.7) events/hour (PConclusionsOrofacial exercises performed using an mHealth app reduced OSAHS severity and symptoms, and represent a promising treatment for OSAHS.Trial RegistrationSpanish Registry of Clinical Studies AWGAPN-2019-01, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04438785; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04438785

BACKGROUND Myofunctional therapy has demonstrated efficacy in treating sleep-disordered breathing. We assessed the clinical use of a new mobile health (mHealth) app that uses a smartphone to teach patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) to perform oropharyngeal exercises. OBJECTIVE We conducted a pilot randomized trial to evaluate the effects of the app in patients with severe OSAHS. METHODS Forty patients with severe OSAHS (apnea–hypoxia index [AHI]>30) were enrolled prospectively and randomized into an intervention group that used the app for 90 sessions or a control group. Anthropometric measures, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (0-24), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (0-21), Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) scores, and oxygen desaturation index were measured before and after the intervention. RESULTS After the intervention, 28 patients remained. No significant changes were observed in the control group; however, the intervention group showed significant improvements in most metrics. AHI decreased by 53.4% from 44.7 (range 33.8-55.6) to 20.88 (14.02-27.7) events/hour (PP=.003). The IOPI maximum tongue score increased from 39.83 (35.32-45.2) to 59.06 (54.74-64.00) kPa (PPPP CONCLUSIONS Orofacial exercises performed using an mHealth app reduced OSAHS severity and symptoms, and represent a promising treatment for OSAHS. CLINICALTRIAL Spanish Registry of Clinical Studies AWGAPN-2019-01, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04438785; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04438785

Objective: A reduced transversal dimension of the maxilla leads to narrower nasal cavities, which may reduce airflow to the lungs. Maxillary expansion widens nasal floor. However, there is huge controversy regarding whether this increase does actually lead to increased airflow. In this systematic review and meta-analysis we aim to resolve this question by evaluating studies that have undertaken rhinomanometric measurements. Review methods: Pubmed (Medline), the Cochrane Library, EMBASE and Trip Database were checked by two authors. Two authors extracted the data. Main outcome was expressed as the difference between resistance before and after treatment and the 95% confidence interval. Results: 30 studies were selected for full text reading. A total of 12 studies (301 patients) met the inclusion criteria. All selected articles found reduced resistance after palatal expansion. The data pooled in the meta-analysis reveals a statistically significant difference of 0.12 Pa s/cm3 mean reduction after palatal expansion (CI 95% 0.06, 0.18) for nine uncontrolled studies. Regarding nasal airflow, the pooled data show a statistically significant difference of 29.9 cm3/s increase after palatal expansion (CI 95% 9.17, 50.64). Conclusion: According to the available evidence, palatal expansion in pediatric patients decreases nasal resistance and increases nasal flow.

Objective Inferior turbinates are the main structure related to impaired nasal breathing. When medical treatment fails, surgery is the next step, according to clinical guidelines. However, despite the widespread acceptance of this procedure, there is some controversy about performing it in children. Data sources Pubmed (Medline), the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Scopus, Science direct, SciELO and Trip Database. Review methods We looked for articles in which the individual outcome of turbinate surgery in pediatric patients was investigated independently of whether it was the main objective of the study or not. Results 13 papers (1111 patients) met the inclusion criteria. 6 authors performed diverse objective assessment and 11 authors used subjective scales. All of them found improvement after surgery. Due to the heterogeneity of the methods used, they could not be included in a metanalysis. Eleven out of the 13 authors reported 3.12% complication rates, being minor bleeding the most common (1.30%), followed by crust (0.49%) and pain (0.47%). Conclusions There is a lack of high quality studies in children. Turbinate surgery in children is a safe technique with low complication rates. The available evidence suggests improvement in subjective outcomes after turbinate surgery in children. We cannot make a formal recommendation of a surgical technique in children given the lack of high quality studies, and since comparison between available papers is not possible. Although the evidence at our disposal is weak, it suggests that the safest techniques are MAIT, radiofrequency, coblation and laser.

Systematic review of palate surgery for the treatment of OSA. Independent searches to identify publications relevant to OSA treatment and upper airway palate surgery. All relevant studies published between January 2001 and February 2018 were included. Inclusion criteria were adult patients, documented airway evaluation methods and absent hypopharyngeal collapse. Outcomes included success rates of treatment, AHI, Epworth scale, QOL and snoring VAS. Fifty-nine papers with a total of 2715 patients, UPPP accounted for 16.7% of all the procedures. Evident differentiation progressing from 2001 to 2018, from 2001 to 2010, the percentage of UPPP procedures were 25.67%, from 2011 to 2018, there were only 12.6% of UPPP procedures. The average follow up was 8.18 months. Meta-analysis on the AHI change for all procedures, showed the fixed effect AHI per follow-up (FU) month change was 1.45 (95% CI 1.33, 1.8), p

Objective The aim of this study was to create and validate an abbreviated version of the Spanish Transsexual Voice Questionnaire for Male-to-Female Transsexuals (SvTVQMtF). Setting The study was conducted by two referral hospitals for voice feminization surgery and by a university department of psychology and speech therapy, all in Spain. Subjects and methods We prospectively studied 51 male-to-female transsexuals who underwent voice feminization surgery between January 2017 and December 2018. The SvTVQMtF was completed before and after surgery, and the 10 items with the greatest variation were selected by clinical consensus of an expert panel to develop the short version of the SvTVQMtF (SvTVQMtF-10). The correlation between the total score and the score for each item on the SvTVQMtF and the SvTVQMtF-10 was studied. The internal consistency of the SvTVQMtF-10 was analysed. Results Good correlation (Pearson coefficient above .90) was found between the two questionnaires. A significant correlation was found between the total SvTVQMtF-10 score and the score for each item. A significant negative correlation was found between the SvTVQMtF and fundamental frequency after voice feminization surgery. Cronbach’s α was .79. Conclusion The SvTVQMtF-10 is a valid short version of the SvTVQMtF and can be used to quantify voice-related quality of life in MtF transsexuals.

Purpose of this study was to evaluate whether tongue peak pressure measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument is correlated with the topographic site of obstruction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome observed during drug-induced sleep endoscopy. Thirty-five consecutive adult patients (29 men, 6 women) were prospectively enrolled after having been diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome by polysomnography. An apnea–hypopnea index > 30 was confirmed, and age, gender, and body mass index were recorded by Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaire, and a thorough evaluation of the upper airway by video-flexible endoscopy. Twenty healthy controls according to age and sex were chosen for IOPI measurements. After drug-induced sleep endoscopy, a topographic diagnosis was done using the VOTE classification. Tongue and lip peak pressures were both measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument in all patients and in 20 healthy controls. Main outcomes and measures: the correlations between office findings, Iowa Oral Performance Instrument measures, and the VOTE tongue classification during drug-induced sleep endoscopy (T0, T1, T2) were then investigated. The average Iowa Oral Performance Instrument tongue and lip pressure were 44.02 ± 12.29 and 15.03 ± 3.71 kPa, respectively. The Iowa Oral Performance Instrument scores were both significantly lower than values in healthy controls (P

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and morbidity of the combined use of bipolar radiofrequency uvulopalatoplasty and a sclerosing agent applied to the soft palate in patients with snoring and apnea during a 1-year follow-up period. Methods: This was a prospective, nonrandomized study. Twenty-eight patients with primary snoring due to palatal flutter who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Under local anesthesia, a single procedure uvulopalatoplasty using bipolar radiofrequency applied with sterilized forceps was undertaken in combination with a sclerosing agent. Results: Four patients required a repeat procedure 6 weeks after the initial operation. The postoperative Epworth Sleepiness Scale score improved significantly 360 days after surgery. Snoring, measured on the Visual Analogue Scale, decreased from 8.9 ± 0.7 to 4.1 ± 1.4 (p < 0.005). No complications were reported. The average reduction on the apnea-hypopnea index was from 24.2 ± 7.1 to 12.8 ± 4.4 (p < 0.005). Conclusion: Bipolar radiofrequency uvulopalatoplasty combined with injection snoreplasty is an ambulatory, cost-effective, simple, and safe method to reduce the occurrence and effects of snoring and apnea.

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and morbidity in the use of the palatal implant technique (PITs) in patients with failed uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) after a 6-month follow-up period. This was a prospective, nonrandomized study. Sixteen patients who underwent UPPP by the same Institution with Fujita's technique with initial success but developed posterior residual apnea or snoring who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Responses of all patients and their partners were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS). Objective data were recorded using ambulatory polysomnography before and at 6 months after surgery. Postoperative VAS and ESS scores significantly improved by 180 days after surgery (P0.005). VAS snoring score was reduced from 8.3 +/- 0.8 to 5.5 +/- 1.7 (P0.005) and ESS score decreased from 13.3 +/- 5.9 to 10.25 +/- 4.6 (P0.005). The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) decreased from 18.08 +/- 6.02 to 16.8 +/- 5.05 events/h (P = 0.03). The PIT is an effective treatment for snoring and daytime sleepiness of patients with failed UPPPs.

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a relatively rare rheumatic condition of unknown aetiology. It is characterized by recurrent episodic inflammation of cartilaginous structures (nose, ear and trachea). The clinical diagnosis of polychondritis can frequently be made with confidence in the absence of histological confirmation. A 61-year-old diabetic man, with bilateral relapsing aural inflammation, left ear deafness with tinnitus and pain at the sternocostal junctions is reported. After clinical diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis steroid therapy was started. An ear cartilage biopsy was performed confirming the clinical diagnosis. Subsequently soft tissue infection occurred at the operation site. The abscess was drained and oral ciprofloxacin was given with complete resolution of the infection over 30 days. As the infection is the main cause of death in these patients, we analyse whether biopsy is absolutely necessary for the diagnosis of RP in some patients.