Abstract
Introduction: Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) is performed in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to locate the level(s) of upper airway (UA) collapse. The procedure is often completed with a chin-lift maneuver. In this study, additionally the effects of vertical opening (VO) on UA collapsibility were video-endoscopically assessed and categorized as adverse (increased collapsibility of UA), indifferent (persistent UA collapse) or positive (no residual collapse).
Results: 40 patients [80% male; age 48±9 y; apnea/hypopnea index 16±12/h; body mass index 26±3 kg/m2] were included: 32 patients (80%) showed an adverse effect of VO (figure 1; 1-3-5: no vertical opening, 2-4-6: vertical opening), 1 patient (2,5%) a positive effect and 7 patients (17,5%) an indifferent effect.
Discussion: In the literature, the effect of VO on UA collapse is unclear and the therapeutic impact of VO is not determined. The results of the present study indicate that the effect of VO on the degree of UA collapse as assessed during DISE tends to be adverse, causing collapse in the majority of patients.
- © 2011 ERS