A pilot study on the biomechanical assessment of obstructive sleep apnea pre and post bariatric surgery

Obesity is a major risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea patients. In obese patients the severity of this risk can be reduced by bariatric surgery. This pilot study investigates the perioperative effects of bariatric surgery on obstructive sleep apnea and on the physical and biomechanical characteristics of the upper airway. Polysomnography and computer tomography data for 10 morbid obese patients promoted for bariatric surgery were conducted before surgery and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively for assessment of the oropharyngeal anatomy, and subsequent three-dimensional modelling of the airway. Mean values for the apnea/hypopnea index and body mass index significantly reduced after surgery. To combine the effect of changes in the upper airway volume and body mass index, a new volume body mass index is introduced. This index increases with a successful bariatric surgery. Although bariatric surgery leads to an effective weight reduction for all age groups, for obstructive sleep apnea patients it may be effective for middle age, less effective for 50-60 years, and further less effective for patients over the age of 60 years.