Genioglossus advancement and hyoid myotomy: short-term and long-term results

Successful results of genioglossus advancement and hyoid myotomy with suspension (GAHM) in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) have been reported. However, there have been few studies of long-term results. Forty-six patients with hypopharyngeal obstruction underwent GAHM. Patients had a mean age of 40.1 +/- 4.2 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 28.9 +/- 2.1 kg/m(2). The mean follow-up was 39.4 +/- 5.7 months with a range of 37 to 46 months. The mean pre-operative RDI, short-term RDI, and long-term RDI were 47.9 +/- 8.4, 14.2 +/- 3.9, 18.6 +/- 4.1, respectively. The mean post-operative LSAT, short-term LSAT, and long-term LSAT were 81.2 per cent +/- 2.9 per cent, 88.8 per cent +/- 2.7 per cent and 87.2 per cent +/- 3.1 per cent, respectively. The change in BMI was significantly different in the patients with, and without, recurrence (2.1 +/- 0.3 vs 0.4 +/- 0.2 kg/m(2), <0.05). Thirty (65.2 per cent) patients had long-term clinical success, and six (16.7 per cent) patients with short-term success failed long-term. GAHM appears to be an effective procedure and results in long-term success. However, patients with weight gain are at risk of recurrence.