Phenotypic Labelling Using Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy Improves Patient Selection for Mandibular Advancement Device Outcome: A Prospective Study.

Study Objectives: Mandibular advancement device (MAD) outcome varies between patients. We hypothesized that upper airway collapse sites, patterns, and degrees assessed during baseline drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) affect MAD outcome.

Methods: One hundred patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were included and underwent baseline type 1 polysomnography.

European position paper on drug-induced sleep endoscopy: 2017 Update.

Background: The first edition of the European position paper (EPP) on drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) was published in 2014 with the aim to standardise the procedure, to provide an in-depth insight into the main aspects of this technique and to have a basis for future research. Since 2014, new studies have been published concerning new sedative agents or new insights into the pattern/levels of the obstruction depending on the depth of sedation. Therefore, an enlarged group of European experts in the field of sleep breathing disorders (SBD), including the most of the first DISE EPP main authors, has decided to publish an update of the European position paper on DISE, in order to include new evidence and to find a common language useful for reporting the findings of this endoscopic evaluation in adult population affected by SBD.

The Use of Remotely Controlled Mandibular Positioner as a Predictive Screening Tool for Mandibular Advancement Device Therapy in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea through Single-Night Progressive Titration of the Mandible: A Systematic Review.

Study Objectives: To perform a review of the current evidence regarding the use of a remotely controlled mandibular positioner (RCMP) and to analyze the efficacy of RCMP as a predictive selection tool in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with oral appliances that protrude the mandible (OAm), exclusively relying on single-night RCMP titration.

Methods: An extensive literature search is performed through PubMed.com, Thecochranelibrary.

Adverse skin reactions following percutaneous bone conduction implant surgery using the linear incision technique with and without subcutaneous tissue reduction.

Conclusions: Adverse skin reactions were equally distributed among age groups, surgical technique, or presence of a retroauricular incision. Implant loss was observed more frequently in children when compared to adults and elderly.

Objective: A bone conduction (osseointegrated) implant can be used for rehabilitation of patients with conductive hearing loss or single-sided deafness.

Treatment efficacy of a titratable oral appliance in obstructive sleep apnea patients: a prospective clinical trial.

Purpose: This prospective clinical trial assessed the therapeutic outcomes of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treated with a novel duobloc custom-made titratable mandibular advancement device (OAm).

Material And Methods: The modular Somnomed G2® OAm (Somnomed Europe AG, Zurich, Switzerland) with 'click-to-fit' adjustability provides instant feedback on the mandibular advancement. 161 consecutive patients with established diagnoses of OSA.

On the connection between the tympanic membrane and the malleus.

Background: The tympano-mallear connection (TMC) is the soft-tissue connection between the tympanic membrane (TM) and the manubrium of the malleus. Some studies suggest that its mechanical properties may have a substantial influence on the mechanics and transfer function of the middle ear. However, relatively little is known about the dimensions of the TMC and its variability among individuals.

Determinants of Objective Compliance During Oral Appliance Therapy in Patients With Sleep-Disordered Breathing: A Prospective Clinical Trial.

Importance: The main reported reasons for discontinuation of oral appliance therapy for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) are the presence of self-perceived adverse effects and self-appreciated lack of efficacy. However, these conclusions rely only on subjective compliance data.

Objective: To determine which parameters are correlated with objectively measured data on compliance with oral appliance therapy.

Endoscopic versus transcranial procurement of allograft tympano-ossicular systems: a prospective double-blind randomized controlled audit.

Allograft tympano-ossicular systems (ATOS) have proven their use over many decades in tympanoplasty and reconstruction after resection of cholesteatoma. The transcranial bone plug technique has been used in the past 50 years to procure en bloc ATOS (tympanic membrane with malleus, incus and stapes attached). Recently, our group reported the feasibility of the endoscopic procurement technique.

European position paper on drug-induced sedation endoscopy (DISE).

Background: Although drug-induced sedation endoscopy (DISE) represents the most widespread diagnostic tool for upper airway endoscopic evaluation of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), many controversies exist about how to perform the sedation, the indications for DISE, and how to report DISE findings. The present position paper reports on a consensus as proposed by a group of European experts in the field of DISE after discussion during a recent dedicated meeting.

Methods: The authors have evaluated all the available evidence reported in the literature and have compared experience among various departments in leading European centers in order to provide a standardization of the DISE procedure and an in-depth insight in the main aspects of this technique.

Endoscopic procurement of allograft tympano-ossicular systems: valuable to replace the Schuknecht bone plug technique?

Recently, our group demonstrated the technical feasibility of allograft tympano-ossicular systems (ATOS) procurement directly through the external auditory canal by using a rigid endoscope. This novel technique has several advantages compared to the traditional transcranial Schuknecht bone plug technique: it avoids contact with the dura mater, it is less time-consuming and it doesn't require a thorough reconstruction of the donor. In our tissue bank, we are currently transitioning from the transcranial procurement technique to the endoscopic procurement technique.

Cardiovascular mechanisms and consequences of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is considered as a risk factor for the development of arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction and stroke. These clinical manifestations are the consequences of elevated sympathetic activity, cardiovascular variability, intrathoracic pressure changes, inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, insulin resistance and thrombosis provoked by OSA. As a result, OSA is often present in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the increased prevalence of CVD in OSA population raises both cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and the demand of healthcare resources.

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy in sleep-disordered breathing: report on 1,249 cases.

Objectives/hypothesis: To describe upper airway (UA) collapse patterns during drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) in a large cohort of patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and to assess associations with anthropometric and polysomnographic parameters.

Study Design: Observational study.

Methods: A total of 1,249 patients [age 47 ± 10 y; apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) 18.

Intracranial complications of acute otitis media and Gradenigo's syndrome.

We describe the case of a 12-year-old girl with acute otitis media complicated by acute mastoiditis, epidural empyema, thrombosis of the sigmoid sinus and paralysis of the abducens nerve. The patient underwent a mastoidectomy on the left side combined with drainage of the epidural empyema through an extended burr holl and received intravenous antibiotics for 6 weeks and anticoagulation for 12 weeks. This report discusses the intracranial complications of acute otitis media, which were a common problem before the advent of adequate antibiotic drugs but have become rare since their introduction.

Observer variation in drug-induced sleep endoscopy: experienced versus nonexperienced ear, nose, and throat surgeons.

Study Objective: To determine variations in interobserver and intraobserver agreement of drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) in a cohort of experienced versus nonexperienced ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeons.

Design: Prospective, blinded agreement study.

Setting: Ninety-seven ENT surgeons (90 nonexperienced with DISE; seven experienced) observed six different DISE videos and were asked to score the upper airway (UA) level (palate, oropharynx, tongue base, hypopharynx, epiglottis), direction (anteroposterior, concentric, lateral), and degree of collapse (none; partial or complete collapse).

Tongue suspension: an evidence-based review and comparison to hypopharyngeal surgery for OSA.

Objectives/hypothesis: Our first objective was to perform a systematic review of suture-based tongue suspension procedures as a stand-alone therapy for hypopharyngeal obstruction in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A second objective compared outcomes of tongue suspension as part of a multilevel approach to OSA surgery to genioglossus advancement (GA) with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), and to genioglossus advancement with hyoid suspension (GAHM) with UPPP.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Evaluation of drug-induced sleep endoscopy as a patient selection tool for implanted upper airway stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea.

Study Objectives: To study the possible predictive value of drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) in assessing therapeutic response to implanted upper airway stimulation (UAS) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: During DISE, artificial sleep is induced by midazolam and/or propofol, and the pharyngeal collapse patterns are visualized using a flexible fiberoptic nasopharyngoscope. The level (palate, oropharynx, tongue base, hypopharynx/epiglottis), the direction (anteroposterior, concentric, lateral), and the degree of collapse (none, partial, or complete) were scored in a standard fashion.

Endoscopic procurement of tympano-ossicular allografts: alternative to the transcranial or retroauricular technique.

A tympano-ossicular tissue bank complying with European Union regulations on human allografts is feasible and critical to assure that the patient receives tissue which is safe, individually checked and prepared in a suitable environment. The transcranial procurement technique has become the standard approach to procure tympano-ossicular allografts since the 1970s because it can provide en bloc allografts. Over the last 10-20 years, en bloc allografts have been abandoned and only the malleus (hammer) is left attached to the tympanic membrane.

Allograft tympanoplasty: a historical perspective.

Objective: To present the rise and decline of allograft tympanoplasty and investigate how the challenges it has faced may inform us of its future.

Data Sources: Articles and books published over the last 48 years that refer to allograft tympanoplasty or its historical roots.

History: The first published account of allograft tympanoplasty is by Ned Chalat in 1964; however, whether he was the first to use the technique is controversial.

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea using a custom-made titratable duobloc oral appliance: a prospective clinical study.

Purpose: This prospective clinical study investigates the efficacy of a specific custom-made titratable mandibular advancement device (MAD) for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This MAD has attachments in the frontal teeth area that allow for progressive titration of the mandible.

Methods: Sixty-one adult OSA patients were included (age, 46.

Hyoid expansion as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea: a pilot study.

Objectives: Hyoid expansion is a novel procedure that was developed to widen and stabilize the lateral walls of the hypopharynx in order to improve obstructive sleep apnea. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety, efficacy and feasibility of hyoid expansion.

Study Design: A prospective, non-randomized multicenter pilot study with a follow-up of 6 months was conducted.

A study of the new generation of the advance system tongue implants: three- and six-month effects of tongue to mandible tethering for obstructive sleep apnea.

Objectives/hypothesis: Treatment of hypopharyngeal collapse of upper airway is a surgical challenge in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients who fail continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Study Design: A prospective, nonrandomized, multicentered, feasibility study.

Methods: Nineteen OSA patients with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) between 15 and 50 with CPAP intolerance were included in the study.

Non-CPAP therapies in obstructive sleep apnoea.

In view of the high prevalence and the relevant impairment of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) lots of methods are offered which promise definitive cures for or relevant improvement of OSAS. This report summarises the efficacy of alternative treatment options in OSAS. An interdisciplinary European Respiratory Society task force evaluated the scientific literature according to the standards of evidence-based medicine.

Outcome of sleep endoscopy in obstructive sleep apnoea: the Antwerp experience.

Objectives: Snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) result from upper airway (UA) collapse during sleep. Sleep endoscopy is a dynamic evaluation of the UA that can be used to determine the site(s) of collapse during respiratory events. This study evaluates the feasibility and outcome of sleep endoscopy in patients with OSA, compares the findings with the literature, and reviews the therapeutic advice given to patients.