No changes in nocturnal respiration with hypoglossal neurostimulation therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea.

STUDY

OBJECTIVES

We initiated Hypoglossal Neurostimulation therapy (HGNS) at the Helsinki University Hospital in late 2014. Here, we report our experience.

METHODS

We included all 15 HGNS patients. All patients had previously failed both CPAP and oral appliance therapy for sleep apnoea. Overnight polysomnography parameters were analysed before and at 1.5 years with HGNS.

RESULTS

Mean ± SD patient age was 53 ± 6 years; 2 women and 13 men were included. Mean ± SD efficient CPAP level was 11.4 ± 3.4 cm H2 O. Implantation technically succeeded in all patients. There were no significant changes of AHI and ODI4 after HGNS [median (quartile) 29.2/h (19.8-38.7) versus 30.1/h (15.6-52.6) and 15.0/h (5.9-20) versus 12.5/h (6.9-30.2) respectively].

CONCLUSION

We did not observe significant changes in AHI and ODI4 indices with HGNS therapy. Larger multicentre randomised controlled trials are necessary before wider international use of HGNS.