Hyoid Periosteum Sutures: A Modified Tissue-Preserving Hyoid Suspension Technique for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

OBJECTIVE

To present and assess a new, simple, conservative modification of hyoidthyroidpexy using 2 sutures between hyoid periosteum and thyroid lamina.

METHODS

Included patients had obstructive sleep apnea with apnea hypopnea index >20. Through a small midline neck incision, 2 Vicryl sutures were applied between the hyoid periosteum and thyroid cartilage. Infrahyoid and suprahyoid muscles were not traumatized.

RESULTS

In 19 patients, the mean apnea hypopnea index significantly dropped (P < 0.0001) from 51.5 ± 11.9 preoperatively to 10.1 ± 4.9 postoperatively. The mean lowest oxygen saturation significantly increased from 79.2 ± 10.2 to 89.5 ± 8.1 (P = 0.0015). Moreover, Epworth sleepiness scale showed significant improvements (P < 0.0001) as its mean diminished from 13.8 ± 2.9 to 5.3 ± 2.9.

CONCLUSION

The hyoid periosteum sutures technique (simple modification of hyoidthyroidpexy) is considered effective easily applicable, less costly with limited tissue dissection. It could be combined with other procedures in multilevel surgery for obstructive sleep apnea.