Transoral robotic surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome
File(s)
Author(s)
Vauterin, Tom
Garas, George
Arora, Asit
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea (OSAH) syndrome constitutes a major health care problem. Surgical modalities for the treatment of OSAH are regaining momentum in view of the increasing prevalence of OSAH and the low compliance rates associated with continuous positive airway pressure. There are several investigations to complement clinical examination in accurately determining the level of airway collapse to ensure correct patient selection and a targeted surgical approach. The most commonly employed include drug-induced sleep endoscopy and imaging with the tongue base and epiglottis often revealed as the major sites of airway narrowing during sleep. In the continuing search for the optimal approach to address these areas, transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has been successfully used for tongue base reduction and epiglottoplasty. With sufficient experience, this technique is safe and well tolerated. Meticulous work-up and careful patient selection are crucial. Multiple studies have demonstrated very good short-term results of TORS for OSAH, with significant reduction in both the Apnoea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) and Epworth Sleepiness Score (ESS). With the appropriate infrastructure, proctoring, and access to robotic surgical technology, it is possible for these results to be reproduced more widely. Further prospective long-term clinical evaluation will ultimately determine the exact role of TORS in the treatment of OSAH.
Date Issued
2018-11-01
Date Acceptance
2018-04-17
Citation
ORL, 2018, 80 (3-4), pp.134-147
ISSN
0301-1569
Publisher
Karger Publishers
Start Page
134
End Page
147
Journal / Book Title
ORL
Volume
80
Issue
3-4
Copyright Statement
© 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29936512
PII: 000489465
Subjects
Epiglottis
Evidence
Hypopharynx
Hypopnoea
Obstructive sleep apnoea
Palate
Robotic surgery
Safety
Tongue base
Transoral route
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
Switzerland
Date Publish Online
2018-06-22