Hypoglossal nerve stimulation surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea: Our preliminary experience

The objective of this communication is to describe our preliminary results in upper airway stimulation surgery via hypoglossal nerve stimulation implantation for obstructive sleep apnoea. We describe 4 cases and the outcomes of the surgery were analysed using the Epworth scale, apnoea-hypopnoea index, minimal 02 Sat, average 02 Sat and snoring intensity. In all cases a significant reduction in Epworth scale values and apnoea-hypopnoea index were obtained (P<.05). The minimum and average oxygen saturation had better values after the surgery, however, there was no statistically significant difference. The snoring severity measured subjectively changed from intense to absent, in all cases. The preliminary results obtained with the upper airway stimulation surgery via hypoglossal nerve stimulation showed objective and subjective improvement after the implant activation. (C) 2017 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. and Sociedad Espanola de Otorrinolaringologia y Cirugia de Cabeza y Cuello. All rights reserved.