Treatment of primary epiglottis collapse in OSA in adults with glossoepiglottopexy: a 5-year experience

Objective. To review our 5-year experience with a modified version of glossoepiglottopexy for treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSA) in two hospitals. Methods. A retrospective analysis was carried out on a cohort of adult patients affected by OSA suffering from primary collapse of the epiglottis who underwent a modified glossoepiglottopexy. All patients underwent drug-induced sleep endoscopy, polysomnographic and swallowing evaluation, and assessment with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Results. Forty-nine patients were retrospectively evaluated. Both the apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) (median AHI(post)-AHI(pre) = -22.4 events/h; p < 0.001) and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) showed a significant postoperative decrease (median ODIpost-ODIpre = -18 events/h; p < 0.001), as did hypoxaemia index (median T-90% post - T-90% pre = 5%; p < 0.001). The ESS questionnaire revealed a significant decrease in postoperative scores (median ESSpost-ESSpre =- 9; p < 0.001). None of the patients developed postoperative dysphagia. Conclusions. Our 5-year experience demonstrates that modified glossoepiglottopexy is a safe and reliable surgical technique for treatment of primary epiglottic collapse in OSA patients.