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Feasibility study of Flextube reflectometry for localisation of upper airway obstruction in obstructive sleep apnea
Natascha S Hessel1, Martin Laman, Vincent C P J van Ammers
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Saint Lucas Andreas Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. n.hessel@slaz.nl
Abstract:
One hundred and twenty-three patients with snoring problems and/or obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) were offered Rhinosleep Flextube-reflectometry during sleep registration to assess the upper airway. The main point of interest was patient acceptance of the procedure. 36 patients with OSAS received Rhino Flextube reflectometry. Of these, 19 (53%) completed a whole night registration with the Rhinosleep tube and 17 (47%) did not. This low success rate is multifactorial and will be discussed in detail in the text. The development of Rhinosleep is a challenge, as it improves the topical diagnostic work-up of OSAS patients. At present however various practical problems have to be solved to make it a viable alternative to sleep endoscopy.