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Purpose Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) has been shown to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) effectively. The aim of this study was to compare HNS with positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment regarding outcome parameters: (1) sleepiness, (2) apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), and (3) effectiveness. Methods Propensity score matching with nearest neighbor algorithm was used to compare outcomes of HNS and PAP therapy in a real-world setting. Data were collected at baseline and 12 months after initiating OSA treatment including demographics, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), AHI, and objective adherence data. To account for overall treatment efficacy, the mean disease alleviation (MDA) was calculated. Results Of 227 patients who received treatment consecutively, 126 could be matched 1:1 with regard to age, body mass index, and AHI. After matching, no statistically significant differences between the groups were found. A clinically important symptom improvement was seen at 12 months in both cohorts, though there was a greater difference in ESS improvement in patients treated with HNS (8.0 ± 5.1 points vs. 3.9 ± 6.8 points; p = 0.042). In both groups, mean posttreatment AHI was significantly reduced (HNS: 8.1 ± 6.3/h; PAP: 6.6 ± 8.0/h; p Conclusion Patients treated with HNS therapy had significantly greater improvements in daytime sleepiness compared to PAP therapy, while the mean reduction of AHI and overall effectiveness were comparable for both treatments. Trial registration ClinicalTrial.gov Identifier: NCT03756805.

Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS) has evolved as a novel and effective therapy for patients with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. Despite positive published outcomes of HGNS, there exist uncertainties regarding proper patient selection, surgical technique, and the reporting of outcomes and individual factors that impact therapy effectiveness. According to current guidelines, this therapy is indicated for select patients, and recommendations are based on the Stimulation Therapy for Apnea Reduction or STAR trial. Ongoing research and physician experiences continuously improve methods to optimize the therapy. An understanding of the way in which airway anatomy, obstructive sleep apnea phenotypes, individual health status, psychological conditions, and comorbid sleep disorders influence the effectiveness of HGNS is essential to improve outcomes and expand therapy indications. This article presents discussions on current evidence, future directions, and research gaps for HGNS therapy from the 10th International Surgical Sleep Society expert research panel. CITATION: Suurna MV, Jacobowitz O, Chang J, et al. Improving outcomes of hypoglossal nerve stimulation therapy: current practice, future directions and research gaps. Proceedings of the 2019 International Sleep Surgery Society Research Forum. J Clin Sleep Med. 2021;17(12):2477–2487.

Introduction Upper airway stimulation (UAS) has become a viable treatment alternative for well selected patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who struggle to tolerate positive pressure (PAP) therapy. Post-market surveillance is required of medical device manufacturers to assess treatment outcomes, complications, and device failure. We aim to utilize this surveillance data to assess rates of revision and removal of the Inspire (Minneapolis, MN) UAS system in a real-world setting. Methods Post market surveillance data was compiled from manufacturer’s complaint handling system for explants and revisions of the hypoglossal nerve stimulator. Data collection began in January 2018 and was available through September 30 2022 at the time of analysis. Implant procedures from January 2018 through September 2021 were analyzed for events within one year of implant. Events were classified into categories. A subset of these devices implanted before September 30 2019 were analyzed for events between one and three years after implant. Results Between Jan 01 2018 and Sep 30 2021, 15282 devices were implanted. Within one year of the implant, 121 devices (0.8%) were explanted for: infection (66), elective (32), MRI (10), other (10), and twiddler syndrome (3). Surgical revisions were required for 245 patients (1.6%) for: surgical correction (139), device defect (81), other (21), cardioversion (2), twiddler syndrome (1), and MRI (1). A subset of 5080 of these devices were implanted prior to September 30 2019. Between one year and three years following implant 119 devices (2.3%) were explanted for: elective (58), MRI (35), infection (15), Other (9), and twiddler syndrome (2). Surgical revisions were performed for 160 patients (3.1%) for: surgical correction (64), device defect (57), other (32), twiddler syndrome (5), and cardioversion (2). Conclusion As with any implantable medical device, a certain rate of revision and explant is expected for device, patient, and medical indications. The rate of UAS revision and explantation is low at both the 1 year and 3 year time points. UAS implantation is a safe alternative to CPAP for well selected patients with a low rate of unexpected reoperation for either revision or hardware explantation. Support (if any) Inspire Medical

The presence of complete concentric collapse of the soft palate (CCCp) during drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) has important therapeutic consequences. However, CCCp may present in various, sometimes doubtful, ways due to the complex anatomy of the upper airway. Herein, we aimed to characterize these doubtful variants by reviewing the DISE recordings of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (n = 332). We observed in some individuals that the soft palate collapsed in an anteroposterior-laterolateral (AP-LL) way, producing a polygonal shape that was distinct from CCCp. Patients with this collapse pattern (n = 29) had a smaller neck circumference and less severe obstructive sleep apnea than patients with CCCp (n = 68). The majority of patients with AP-LL collapse (n = 19) were originally diagnosed with CCCp. Based on these findings, AP-LL collapse of the soft palate might represent a distinct DISE phenotype that is easily confounded with CCCp.

Since the first statement of the German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) is meanwhile an established treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). There are three HNS systems available in Germany which differ in their technical details of the underlying comparable basic principle. For the unilateral HNS with respiratory sensing, several comparative studies, high-volume register analysis and long-term reports exist. The continuous HNS without respiratory sensing does not require a sleep endoscopy for indication. For the bilateral continuous HNS as the single partially implantable device, a feasibility study exists. For indication, the assessment of positive airway pressure failure by sleep medicine is crucial, and the decision for HNS should be made in discussion of other treatment options for at least moderate OSA. The implantation center holds primarily responsibility among the interdisciplinary sleep team and is primary contact for the patient in problems. This depicts why structural processes are required to secure outcome quality and minimize the complications. The aftercare of HNS patients can be provided interdisciplinary and by different medical institutions, whereat, minimal reporting standards to document outcome and usage are recommended.

ZusammenfassungDie Stimulation des Nervus hypoglossus (HNS) zur Behandlung der obstruktiven Schlafapnoe (OSA) hat seit der ersten Stellungnahme der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Schlafmedizin der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie (DGHNO) einen festen Stellenwert erhalten. Die vorhandenen 3 Systeme unterscheiden sich in der technischen Ausgestaltung des ähnlichen Grundprinzips. Für die unilaterale atmungsgesteuerte HNS existieren hier mehrere Vergleichsstudien, Registeranalysen mit 4-stelligen Patientenzahlen und mehrjährigen Nachsorgeergebnissen. Die kontinuierliche HNS verzichtet auf die Atmungserkennung, und im Gegensatz zum atmungsgesteuerten HNS ist eine Schlafendoskopie zur Indikationsstellung nicht notwendig. Die bilaterale kontinuierliche HNS ist als einziges Verfahren teilimplantierbar; hierzu liegen erste Machbarkeitsstudien vor. Wesentlich für die Indikation ist die mit schlafmedizinischer Expertise beurteilte Non-Adhärenz der Überdrucktherapie bei einer mindestens mittelgradigen OSA in individueller Abwägung von weiteren Therapieoptionen. Die implantierende Klinik steht im Mittelpunkt der interdisziplinären Therapieverantwortung und ist bei Therapieproblemen Hauptansprechpartner. Dies erklärt die strukturellen Anforderungen zur Sicherung der Ergebnisqualität und Minimierung von Komplikationen. Die Nachsorge der HNS-versorgten Patienten kann sehr gut sektoren- und fachdisziplinübergreifend erfolgen, wobei Mindestangaben zur Behandlungswirkung und Nutzung dokumentiert werden sollten.

Rationale: Understand the impact of insurance coverage on sleep apnea outcomes for patients awaiting upper airway stimulation.Objectives: Examine the natural history of impact of upper airway stimu...

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) is a novel therapy in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Previous studies have focused on the effectiveness of HNS, but there are no studies specifically investigating the long-term changes of the stimulation intensities in HNS. Increasing stimulation intensity requirements have been reported in the past in other peripheral nerve stimulation therapies. The aim of this study was to investigate the development of stimulation intensities over the observation period of 4 years. METHODS: All patients who were implanted with an HNS system since December 2013 and maintained a bipolar configuration over the observation period were included. Sensation threshold (ST), functional threshold, the titrated stimulation intensity (SI), and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 82 patients were enrolled (sex: 69 men, 13 women, age: 60 ± 11 years, body mass index: 29. 8 ± 4.0 kg/m(2)). Two months after surgery, the median ST was 0.8 ± 0.5 V. During the observation period of 48 months, no significant change of ST was observed. The median ST was 1.0 ± 0.4 V (P = 0.93) at 48 months. Similar results were found for functional threshold and the titrated stimulation intensity. There was a significant reduction of the baseline median AHI when compared with the median AHI at 1, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months after surgery (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The stimulation intensities in HNS show no significant changes over 4 years. Despite the constant stimulation intensity, AHI was significantly reduced. This indicates that the stimulation threshold of the hypoglossal nerve does not change over time with this therapy. CITATION: Zhu Z, Hofauer B, Wirth M, Heiser C. Long-term changes of stimulation intensities in hypoglossal nerve stimulation. J Clin Sleep Med. 2020;16(10):1775–1780.

Objective: To compare patients with moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) undergoing traditional single and multilevel sleep surgery to those undergoing upper airway stimulation (UAS). Study Design: Case control study comparing retrospective cohort of patients undergoing traditional sleep surgery to patients undergoing UAS enrolled in the ADHERE registry. Setting: 8 multinational academic medical centers. Subjects and Methods: 233 patients undergoing prior single or multilevel traditional sleep surgery and meeting study inclusion criteria were compared to 465 patients from the ADHERE registry who underwent UAS. We compared preoperative and postoperative demographic, quality of life, and polysomnographic data. We also evaluated treatment response rates. Results: The pre and postoperative apnea hypopnea index (AHI) was 33.5 and 15 in the traditional sleep surgery group and 32 and 10 in the UAS group. The postoperative AHI in the UAS group was significantly lower. The pre and postoperative Epworth sleepiness scores (ESS) were 12 and 6 in both the traditional sleep surgery and UAS groups. Subgroup analysis evaluated those patients undergoing single level palate and multilevel palate and tongue base traditional sleep surgeries. The UAS group had a significantly lower postoperive AHI than both traditional sleep surgery subgroups. The UAS group had a higher percentage of patients reaching surgical success, defined as a postoperative AHI Conclusion: UAS offers significantly better control of AHI severity than traditional sleep surgery. Quality life improvements were similar between groups.

Background Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) is a well-established therapy option for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Aims There are no data on whether respiratory sensing contributes to successful UAS therapy. Materials & methods After initial measurements of 3 implanted patients (M1), the sensing signal was inverted (M2) without changing other parameters. Two weeks later, the signal was converted back again, and the sensitivity of breathing cycle detection was turned to a very low state (M3). Results At M2 and M3, the apnea-hypopnea index and oxygen desaturation index increased. Discussion Correct respiratory sensing is important for controlling OSA using UAS. Conclusions Therefore, implant centers should should optimize respiratory sensing placement and adjustment.

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Die Standardtherapie einer obstruktiven Schlafapnoe (OSA) ist die nächtliche positive Überdruckbeatmung (PAP). Sie ist in der Regel nebenwirkungsarm und stellt eine Langzeittherapie dar. Doch nicht jeder Patient toleriert oder akzeptiert die Therapie oder möchte sie fortführen. Andere müssen sie aus objektiven Gründen beenden. Fragestellung Klare Begrifflichkeiten für eine Nicht-Anwendung der PAP-Therapie sind bisher nicht in den Leitlinien definiert. Ziel dieses Beitrags ist es, einheitliche Definitionen einzuführen, die eine Vorlage für klinisches Handeln und wissenschaftliche Ansätze sein können. Material und Methode Ein Expertengremium hat sich intensiv mit der Literatur, Definitionen und Hintergrundinformationen hinsichtlich des Themas befasst. Es wurden verschiedene Möglichkeiten der PAP-Nicht-Nutzung bzw. der Beendigung der Therapie betrachtet und dementsprechend Kategorien und Definitionen zusammengestellt. Ergebnisse Dies sind die vom Expertengremium vorgeschlagenen Kategorien für eine PAP-Nichtbenutzung: PAP-Inakzeptanz, PAP-Unverträglichkeit, PAP-Intoleranz, PAP-Versagen und PAP-Abbruch. Diskussion Diese Kategorien inklusive Definition können die Grundlage für ein einheitliches Management bei Patienten/Patientinnen mit obstruktiver Schlafapnoe (OSA) sein, die auf eine PAP-Therapie eingestellt werden bzw. wurden.

Objective The only hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) device available for US clinical use is implanted through 3 incisions. A recently proposed 2-incision modification moved the respiratory sensing lead from the fifth to the second intercostal space to eliminate the third lower chest incision. This study compared perioperative data and therapeutic outcomes between the techniques. Study design Noninferiority cohort analysis of a retrospective and prospective registry study. Setting Tertiary care and community surgical centers. Methods Patients with obstructive sleep apnea underwent HNS implantation via a modified 2-incision technique (I2). A cohort previously implanted via the standard 3-incision technique (I3) were 1:1 propensity score matched for a noninferiority analysis of postoperative outcomes. Results There were 404 I3 patients and 223 I2 patients across 6 participating centers. Operative time decreased from 128.7 minutes (95% CI, 124.5-132.9) in I3 patients to 86.6 minutes (95% CI, 83.7-97.6) in I2 patients (P .05). Conclusion In a multicenter registry, a 2-incision implant technique for a commercially available HNS device had a statistically noninferior therapeutic efficacy profile when compared with the standard 3-incision approach. The 2-incision technique is safe and effective for HNS implantation.

Therapies of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), particularly irradiation and chemotherapy (C/RT), can affect salivary glands to some extent. Recent studies suggest that point shear wave elastography (pSWE) is well suited for the diagnosis and rating of homogenous damage to parenchymatous organs. The purpose of this study was to assess the value of this sonographic modality as a tool for the evaluation both of salivary gland affection after HNSCC therapy and the effect of a salivary replacement therapy based on liposomes. A total of 69 HNSCC patients were included in this study. All patients had finished cancer treatment and attended regular follow-up. pSWE values of ipsi- and contralateral parotid (PG) and submandibular glands (SMG) were obtained in a standardized manner and compared to those of a healthy control (HC) group. After a two months treatment with a liposomal saliva replacement therapy pSWE quantification was performed again. Ipsi- and contralateral salivary glands suffer under standard HNSCC tumor therapy. Here, the ipsilateral parotid gland (PG) is primarily affected. Therefore, a sequence of manifestation (surgery < surgery plus adjuvant C/RT < primary C/RT) is comprehensible, evaluated by pSWE measurements. The examination of all glands and statistical analysis of the values compared to controls resulted in an pSWE cutoff value for affected glandular tissue of >2 m/s. Using a liposomal saliva replacement therapy, pSWE values of the ipsilateral PG can be improved, although the level of HC could not be restored.

Introduction Nasal airway obstruction can play an important role in pathogenesis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Surgery for nasal obstruction can improve patient-reported OSA outcomes, including snoring and daytime sleepiness, as well as adherence and pressure requirements with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. The aim of this study was to examine whether previous nasal surgery was associated with UAS treatment efficacy. Methods From the ADHERE Registry, propensity score matching generated a cohort of UAS patients with prior nasal surgery including septoplasty, turbinate reduction, polyp removal (NS) and a comparable cohort of UAS patients without prior nasal surgery (WNS). Patients were matched based on demographic variables including pre-operative oral appliance use, prior CPAP use, gender, age, baseline apnea hypopnea index (AHI) and baseline Epworth Sleepiness Score (ESS). Data included demographic variables, therapy outcome measures including AHI, ESS, therapy use, and responder rate. Student’s t-test was used to compare normally distributed numeric data and Fisher’s exact test to compare categorical data. One sided t-tests with non-inferiority margin of 7.5 events/hr for AHI, 2 points for ESS, and 0.5 hr/night for Therapy Use were performed to determine non-inferiority. Results The ADHERE dataset from October 2021 included 169 patients from each cohort were matched for comparison. Reduction in AHI was 21.01 ±17.94 in WNS cohort and 18.39 ± 16.4 after UAS (p=0.162) in NS cohort. Reduction in ESS in WNS cohort was 4.85 ± 4.98 and 4.48 ±5.83 (p=0.528) in NS cohort. Therapy use was similar, 5.67 ± 1.95 in WNS and 5.97 ± 2.06 in NS (p=0.181). Responder rate was also similar in WNS (64.5%) and NS (62.1%) (p=0.735). Conclusion Retrospective analysis of UAS patients with vs without prior nasal surgery did not identify differences in UAS therapy outcomes or adherence. Furthermore, outcomes for patients with nasal surgery were non-inferior to those without. Future prospective studies of UAS candidates with nasal airway obstruction may better determine the role of adjunctive nasal surgery in this population. Support (If Any) Inspire Medical Systems

© 2021 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.Objectives/Hypothesis: To provide the ADHERE registry Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) outcomes update, including analyses grouped by body mass index (BMI) and therapy discomfort. Study Design: Prospective observational study. Methods: ADHERE captures UAS outcomes including apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), therapy usage, patient satisfaction, clinician assessment, and safety over a 1-year period. BMI ≤32 kg/m2 (BMI32) and 32 < BMI ≤35 kg/m2 (BMI35) group outcomes were examined. Results: One thousand eight hundred forty-nine patients enrolled in ADHERE, 1,019 reached final visit, 843 completed the visit. Significant changes in AHI (−20.9, P

ZusammenfassungDie medikamentös induzierte Schlafendoskopie (MISE) stellt ein Verfahren zur Beurteilung der oberen Atemwege unter Sedierung bei Patienten mit obstruktiver Schlafapnoe (OSA) dar und wurde erstmalig bereits im Jahr 1991 von Croft und Pringle beschrieben 1. Ungeklärt ist bisher, inwiefern die MISE mit dem natürlichen Schlaf vergleichbar ist. Eastwood und Kollegen beschrieben letztendlich eine Korrelation hinsichtlich der Kollapsneigung in Sedierung und während des natürlichen Schlafs. Damit zeigten die Kollegen, dass die MISE in der individualisierten Therapieberatung sinnvoll ist 2. In den vergangenen Jahren wurden Anstrengungen zur Standardisierung unternommen, um die Ergebnisse vergleichbarer und reproduzierbarer zu gestalten. Gerade mit Einführung und zunehmender Verbreitung der Stimulationstherapie des N. hypoglossus wird die MISE in den letzten Jahren vermehrt auch an Kliniken eingesetzt, die dieses diagnostische Verfahren bisher noch nicht durchführten. Dieser Beitrag soll die Durchführung einer MISE in Anlehnung an das entsprechende europäische Positionspapier vorstellen 3 4.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS The ADHERE Registry is a multicenter prospective observational study following outcomes of upper airway stimulation (UAS) therapy in patients who have failed continuous positive airway pressure therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aim of this registry and purpose of this article were to examine the outcomes of patients receiving UAS for treatment of OSA. STUDY DESIGN Cohort Study. METHODS Demographic and sleep study data collection occurred at baseline, implantation visit, post-titration (6 months), and final visit (12 months). Patient and physician reported outcomes were also collected. Post hoc univariate and multivariate analysis was used to identify predictors of therapy response, defined as ≥50% decrease in Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) and AHI ≤20 at the 12-month visit. RESULTS The registry has enrolled 1,017 patients from October 2016 through February 2019. Thus far, 640 patients have completed their 6-month follow-up and 382 have completed the 12-month follow-up. After 12 months, median AHI was reduced from 32.8 (interquartile range [IQR], 23.6-45.0) to 9.5 (IQR, 4.0-18.5); mean, 35.8 ± 15.4 to 14.2 ± 15.0, P

Die Pravalenz der obstruktiven Schlafapnoe (OSA) wird in den westlichen Industrielandern als sehr hoch angenommen. Fur die Behandlung des OSA gibt es konservative und operative Therapien. Die Pathophysiologie ist dennoch weitestgehend ungeklart und lasst sich nicht allein durch anatomische Auffalligkeiten erklaren. So konnte in den letzten Jahren eine Reihe nichtanatomischer Faktoren identifiziert werden, die die Entstehung einer OSA begunstigen. Hierunter fallen die respiratorische Erregungsschwelle (Arousals), der respiratorische Atemantrieb („loop gain“) sowie die Kontrolle und Funktion der oberen muskularen Atemwegsdilatatoren. Das Verstandnis fur die einzelnen pathophysiologischen Prozesse kann in der Zukunft hilfreich sein, um individuelle Therapieansatze fur Patienten zu entwickeln.

Background Many patients suffer from positional obstructive sleep apnea (POSA; 56%). In these cases, positional therapy may be an option. A sleep position trainer (SPT) is a small vibrating device that trains the patient to avoid sleeping in the supine position. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and tolerance of gradual and intensive training onset in POSA patients MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with mild to moderate POSA and incompliance with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy were included in this prospective double-blind trail. Patients were randomized according to how training was initiated and the SPT was set to either a gradual or an intensive training program. Polygraphy was used to check respiratory parameters after 1 month, and subjective parameters and compliance were assessed prior to and after this time period using a questionnaire. Results A total of 38 patients were included (20 intensive; 18 gradual; 49 ± 13 years) of whom 31 completed the study protocol. After 1 month the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in both groups was significantly reduced, but there was no difference in AHI between the two training modalities (AHI intensive: 16.7 ± 6.3/h to 4.2 ± 3.2/h; AHI gradual: 18.9 ± 11.2/h to 8.4 ± 7.9/h). The same effect was observed for subjective sleepiness. Conclusion The objective severity of OSA and the associated subjective daytime sleepiness was reduced in both groups. There was no difference in terms of clinical outcome or compliance between the gradual or intensive SPT therapy in POSA patients during the observation period. Both training modalities are highly successful and well tolerated.

Die akustische Analyse von Schnarchgerauschen ist eine nichtinvasive Methode fur die Diagnose von Entstehungsmechanismen des Schnarchens, die wahrend des naturlichen Schlafs durchgefuhrt werden kann. Ziel der Arbeit ist die Entwicklung und Bewertung von Klassifikationsschemata fur Schnarchgerausche, die eine moglichst aussagekraftige Diagnoseunterstutzung ermoglichen. Basierend auf 2 annotierten Schnarchgerauschdatenbanken mit unterschiedlicher Klassifikation (s-VOTE – 4 Klassen versus ACLTE – 5 Klassen) wurden identisch aufgebaute maschinelle Klassifikationssysteme trainiert. Der Merkmalsextraktor openSMILE wurde in Kombination mit einer linearen Support-Vektor-Maschine zur Klassifikation eingesetzt. Mit einem ungewichteten Average Recall (UAR) von 55,4 % fur das s‑VOTE-Modell und 49,1 % fur das ACLTE liegen die Ergebnisse auf ahnlichem Niveau. In beiden Modellen gelingt die beste Differenzierung fur Epiglottisschnarchen, wahrend velares und oropharyngeales Schnarchen haufiger verwechselt werden. Automatisierte akustische Verfahren konnen bei der Diagnose von Schlafatmungsstorungen unterstutzen. Einschrankungen in der Erkennungsleistung sind u. a. durch die begrenzte Grose der Trainingsdatensatze bedingt.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disease in which narrowing of the upper airway occurs during sleep. Hypoglossal nerve stimulation represents a new therapy option for patients who are noncompliant with standard-treatment continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. This review provides an overview of the latest evidence regarding this technique. Various devices have been investigated for hypoglossal nerve stimulation in recent years. A breathing cycle-dependent selective hypoglossal nerve stimulation system has been shown to be effective in clinical routine over many years. Hypoglossal nerve stimulation is a useful treatment option for patients with OSA who are unable to use their CPAP. It is safe, highly effective and very well accepted by patients.

In den vergangenen Jahren wurden neue Schlusselfaktoren in der Genese der obstruktiven Schlafapnoe (OSA) beschrieben. Dies fuhrte zur Untersuchung von individualisierten Therapieansatzen in der Schlafmedizin. Ziel dieser Untersuchung ist die Beurteilung der oberen Atemwege anhand der sonographischen Vermessung verschiedener anatomischer Landmarken. Fur die Untersuchung wurden Patienten mit Rhonchopathie sowie verschiedenen Schweregraden der OSA eingeschlossen und mit gesunden Probanden verglichen. Bei allen Patienten erfolgte eine Polygraphie zur Beurteilung der nachtlichen Atmungsstorungen. Es wurden verschiedene Landmarken definiert (Ausdehnung der Zunge, Dicke des Pharynx, Distanz Zungenbein – Schildknorpel, Ausdehnung des M. geniohyoideus), die sonographisch vermessen werden sollten. Insgesamt wurden in die Untersuchungen 155 Patienten eingeschlossen und einer der 5 Gruppen zugeordnet (Kontrolle, Rhonchopathie, leicht-, mittel- und schwergradige OSA). Es ergaben sich bei den Parametern zur Vermessung der Zungengrose, der Distanz zwischen Zungenbein und Schildknorpel sowie der Dicke des Pharynx signifikante Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen. Im Rahmen dieser sonographischen Beurteilung der oberen Atemwege wurden bei Patienten mit einer obstruktiven Schlafapnoe Landmarken identifiziert, die mit dem Schweregrad der Erkrankung korrelieren.