Lingual artery CTA-guided midline partial glossectomy for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

Abstract

Conclusion: Midline partial glossectomy guided by lingual artery computed tomographic angiography (CTA) demonstrated a satisfactory safety profile and therapeutic effect for patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) due to tongue hypertrophy. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of midline partial glossectomy guided by lingual artery CTA for the treatment of OSAHS due to tongue hypertrophy. Methods: Sixty-seven OSAHS patients with a narrowed airway at the hypopharyngeal region due to tongue hypertrophy underwent uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) in combination with midline partial glossectomy. The operation zone was determined according to the anatomic measurement obtained from lingual artery CTA and the resected region was much larger than with conventional midline partial glossectomy. Postoperative complications were closely monitored and sleep condition was followed up for more than 6 months and re-evaluated by polysomnography (PSG). Results: All the operations proceeded uneventfully without any complications, demonstrating a satisfactory safety profile. After a follow-up period of more than 6 months, of the 67 patients undergoing the procedure, 24 were cured and 34 exhibited markedly improved sleep, whereas 9 showed little or no improvement, giving an effectiveness rate of 86.6% for the operation.

Keywords::

• Computed tomographic angiography
• tongue operation
• tongue hypertrophy

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the staff of the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and the Department of Radiology for their technical assistance.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.