Use of Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation for Treating OSA in Military Patient Populations.

Background: Failure to effectively treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its symptoms is incompatible with military readiness. Continuous positive airway pressure (PAP) is the gold standard treatment for OSA, but it is impractical in austere environments. Another OSA treatment, hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS), which is implanted, could have advantages for military patients but is unclear whether HGNS is efficacious.