[A new mini-invasive technique for the treatment of sleep breathing disorders: preliminary results of a clinical experience].

The REPOSE system is a new, mini-invasive technique with which the base of the tongue is suspended to treat sleep breathing disorders (SBD) induced by hypertrophy of the base of the tongue. The surgical technique calls for the intra-oral insertion of a small titanium screw in the anterior portion of the mandible. Two polypropylene threads are attached to the screw and these are passed through the base of the tongue and then tied at the point where it is inserted in the floor of the mouth, thus effectively suspending the base of the tongue. 10 patients with SBD due to hypertrophy of the base of the tongue underwent this procedure. Only one major complication was found: an infection requiring sectioning of the suspension thread. For an average 7 to 30 days all patients showed signs of odinophagia, bilateral otalgia, dysphagia and dislalia. In all patients snoring either disappeared altogether or was significantly reduced. Statistical analysis of the pre- and post-operative polysonnograph data showed a significant reduction in the apnea index (AI), the respiratory distress index (RDI) (p = 0.009) as well as a significant improvement in the degree of oxygen saturation (SaO2) (p = 0.008). The results were independent from the body mass since the patients did not lose weight during the follow-up period.