Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026
07:54
Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
20.9K
Hyoid surgery alone for obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Sungjin A Song1, Justin M Wei1, Jonathan Buttram2
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Sleep Surgery and Medicine, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.A.
The Laryngoscope
|January 24, 2016
Summary
Isolated hyoid surgery significantly reduces obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity, decreasing the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) by 38.3% and improving daytime sleepiness. Hyothyroidopexy showed the greatest AHI reduction, but more research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Otolaryngology
- Surgical Interventions
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder characterized by repeated upper airway collapse during sleep.
- Hyoid surgery is an emerging surgical option for OSA, aiming to stabilize the airway.
- The effectiveness of isolated hyoid surgery on key sleep study variables and sleepiness requires further evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of isolated hyoid surgery on sleep study parameters, specifically the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and lowest oxygen saturation.
- To evaluate changes in quantitative sleepiness measures following isolated hyoid surgery in adult OSA patients.
- To compare the efficacy of different types of isolated hyoid surgery.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published up to September 5, 2015.
- Inclusion of nine studies involving 101 patients who underwent isolated hyoid surgery for OSA.
- Subanalyses were conducted based on surgical type, primary vs. secondary surgery, OSA positionality, age, and BMI.
Main Results:
- Isolated hyoid surgery resulted in a significant 38.3% reduction in AHI (from 37.3 to 23.0 events/hour; P < .0001).
- The Epworth Sleepiness Scale score decreased by 3.2 points (P = .0027), indicating improved sleepiness.
- Hyothyroidopexy yielded the largest AHI reduction (50.7%), followed by hyoid myotomy with suspension (38.3%), and hyoid expansion (7.1%).
Conclusions:
- Isolated hyoid surgery effectively reduces OSA severity and improves subjective sleepiness in adults.
- Hyothyroidopexy appears to be the most effective isolated hyoid surgical technique for reducing AHI.
- High-quality evidence is limited, necessitating further research to fully understand the role of hyoid surgery in OSA management.
