Hypoglossal nerve stimulation with Inspire: An operative technique

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Neurosurgery
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects up to 22.3% of Japanese working-age males.
• Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) is an established surgical treatment for OSA.
• The Inspire device surgical technique has not been previously published in Japan.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the surgical technique for Inspire hypoglossal nerve stimulation implantation in Japan.
• To combine best practice surgical techniques with unique author experiences.
• To provide a guide for otolaryngologists incorporating HNS into their practice.

Main Methods:

• Standardized surgical implantation of the Inspire device.
• Detailed description of four key surgical steps: stimulation lead placement, sensing lead placement, lead tunneling and IPG connection, and intraoperative testing.
• Discussion of known procedural risks.

Main Results:

• Inspire device implantation is a safe and standardized surgical procedure.
• The described technique ensures consistent surgical placement.
• Intraoperative functional testing confirms device efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Inspire HNS represents a paradigm shift in surgical OSA treatment.
• The procedure is readily learnable for head and neck surgeons due to familiar anatomy and techniques.
• A consistent surgical approach optimizes outcomes, minimizes complications, and reduces operative time.