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[The position of submaxillary transcutaneous electrical stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome]
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China.
Objective:
To investigate the effective position of submaxillary transcutaneous electrical stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).
Methods:
With fixed provocative locus of genioglossus and its controlling nerve, 11 normal healthy men and 9 patients with OSAS during awakening were studied to disclose the effect of submaxillary constant-current stimulation under different stimulative radius or intensity and thickness of submaxillary skin. The effects of electric stimulation in 9 OSAS patients with narrowing of the retrotongue-base-pharynx level were compared with the control during sleep.
Results:
The submental and internal side of mandibular angle was effective loci for stimulating genioglossus. Stimulative radius and intensity of both loci were not significantly different (P < 0.05) and no influence of the skin thickness was found. During sleep, indices of breath disorder (P < 0.05), oxygen saturation (P < 0.05) and clinical symptoms had significantly improved.
Conclusion:
Submaxillary electrical stimulation with fixed provocative locus is effective for the treatment of OSAS. The mechanism is perhaps stimulation of genioglossus pushes the tongue ahead and opens the pharyngeal cavity.