The potential impact of new remodelling intrapharynegal OSA surgery on sleep architecture: a preliminary investigation.

Purpose: Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) often experience poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness, which significantly affect their daily lives. Among the therapeutic options, Barbed Pharyngoplasty (BP) is widely used, showing an overall improvement in the primary efficacy parameters. However, the impact of this surgical intervention on sleep architecture remains unclear.

International expert consensus statement: surgical failure in obstructive sleep apnea.

Purpose: Upper airway (UA) surgery is commonly employed in the treatment of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The intricate pathophysiology of OSA, variability in sites and patterns of UA collapse, and the interaction between anatomical and non-anatomical factors in individual patients may contribute to possible surgical failures. This clinical consensus statement aims to identify areas of agreement among a development group comprising international experts in OSA surgery, regarding the appropriate definition, predictive factors in patients, and management of surgical failure in OSA treatment.

Supine or non-supine sleep apnea events: which can be treated better with Barbed Pharyngoplasty?

Purpose: Among the treatment options for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), intrapharyngeal surgery has undergone significant changes and received solid scientific support. However, it is crucial to identify the best candidate. This study aims to present the results of the modified Alianza technique in our clinic to show the differences in the impact of surgery on supine and non-supine apnea levels in moderate-severe OSA patients.

Barbed Pharyngoplasty simulation using a 3D-printed model: design and validation study.

Purpose: Learning how to use barbed sutures and perform Barbed Pharyngoplasty (BP) is challenging due to limited surgical training opportunities. This work aims to design, develop, and validate a new 3D surgical simulator to train ENT residents and specialists in performing BP.

Methods: The Barbed Pharyngoplasty Simulator (BPS) was designed using diagnostic images of the facial mass and testing different materials to replicate the mucosal and bony tissues.

Patient informed consent, ethical and legal considerations in the context of digital vulnerability with smart, cardiac implantable electronic devices.

Advancements in digitalisation with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) allow patients opportunities for improved autonomy, quality of life, and a potential increase in life expectancy. However, with the digital and functional practicalities of CIEDs, there exists also cyber safety issues with transferring wireless information. If a digital network were to be hacked, a CIED patient could experience both the loss of sensitive data and the loss of functional control of the CIED due to an unwelcome party.