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Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

  • Sleep Apnea (B. Rotenberg, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), its complex pathophysiology, and the suboptimal adherence rates with positive pressure therapy, necessitate alternative treatment strategies in many OSA patients. Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) represents a novel and unique therapeutic approach that combines a surgical implant procedure with a titratable medical device to provide multilevel upper airway improvement via neuromodulation of the hypoglossal nerve. A recent multicenter prospective trial reported significant reduction in polysomnographic measures of disease severity and significant improvement in patient-reported quality of life measures that were maintained at 3-year follow-up, with overall low morbidity and good patient acceptance and adherence. HNS therapy has established itself as a key component of the OSA treatment armamentarium, although further work is needed to advance the technology, determine the most appropriate patient phenotypes, refine the implant procedure, and optimize stimulation parameters and titration protocols.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Nandini Govil & Ryan J. Soose

  2. Division of Sleep Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Mercy, Building B, Suite 11500, 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA

    Ryan J. Soose

Authors
  1. Nandini Govil
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  2. Ryan J. Soose
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Correspondence to Ryan J. Soose.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Sleep Apnea.

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Govil, N., Soose, R.J. Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Curr Otorhinolaryngol Rep 4, 6–12 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40136-016-0107-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40136-016-0107-3

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