Robotic Modification of Epiglottis Trimming in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

With the widespread use of drug-induced sleep endoscopy, it has been suggested that epiglottis pathologies are present at high rates in patients with sleep apnea. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of trimming the curled-inward epiglottis as an updated surgical technique in patients with omega epiglottis.

Retrospective study.

Tertiary hospital.

Among the 283 patients with epiglottis pathology, 21 with isolated omega-shaped epiglottis (age, 33-53 years) fulfilled the inclusion criteria between May 2016 and April 2019. Drug-induced sleep endoscopy was used to detect epiglottic collapse compressed by the lateral parts during inspiration. An epiglottoplasty technique was applied as single-level sleep surgery in patients with an isolated omega-shaped epiglottis. The medical data were also reviewed.

The mean pre- and postoperative total apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) scores were 27.89 and 10.58, respectively, and this difference was statistically significant (P < .001). There was a statistically significant difference between the pre- and postoperative supine AHI scores (27.02 vs 10.48, P < .001). Surgical success, defined as AHI <20 and a decrease in AHI by 50%, was documented in 85.71% of patients (18/21), and 12 patients found complete relief from obstructive sleep apnea symptoms (AHI <5); the cure rate was 38.09% (8/21).

Trimming the curled-inward epiglottis may represent an excellent option for epiglottis surgery in patients with obstructive sleep apnea by being less invasive than techniques currently in use.