Surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: tongue base surgery and hypoglossal nerve stimulation

Introduction: The diagnosis and surgical management of the obstruction of the base of the tongue in OSA continues to be a challenge for most sleep surgeons. In recent years, there has been a significant improvement in knowledge and a decrease in morbidity. Synthesis: Surgical techniques aimed at treating tongue base collapse can be divided into techniques that modify the anatomy and techniques that stimulate the upper airway. Conclusions: Technological developments and the evolution of the different surgical techniques have been constant in the last decade and will probably change even more in the coming years. Upper airway stimulation surgery has opened the frontiers in the treatment of OSA.