Observation On Efficacy Of Transcutaneous Stimulation Of Genioglossus In Mild- To-moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Patients After Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the non-invasive transcutaneous stimulation of genioglossus on still existing mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS) after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty(UPPP). Methods: 23 patients diagnosed with mild-to-moderate OSAS by polysomnography(PSG) after UPPP were recruited and experienced transcutaneous stimulation of genioglossus therapy at night. Prior to and after treatment overnight polysomnography examination was performed. Moreover, the daytime sleepiness were assessed according to the Epworth sleepiness scale(ESS) before and after treatment. Comparison was made to observe the effect of the treatment for the PSG parameters and daytime ESS. Results: Compared with those parameters before treatment, the nocturnal apnea hypopnea index(AHI), microarousal index(MAI) 、 the radio of the duration SpO2<90% to the total sleep time(T90) and the score of daytime ESS were all significantly reduced(9.2 ±4.2 vs 17.9±6.9, P= 0.000;6.3±3.8 vs 10.9 ± 4.9,P= 0.000;4.9% ±4.0% vs 9.1%±4.2%, P= 0.000;8.7±3.4 vs 9.3±3.1,P=0.002), while mean SpO2 and minimal SpO2(mini SpO2) were all significantly elevated(95.5% ±1.0% vs 94.4% ± 1.1%, P= 0.000; 88.7% ± 2.9% vs 85.2% ±4.7%, P= 0.000). All patients felt no obvious discomfort during the treatment. Conclusion: Submental transcutaneous electrical stimulation of genioglossus can improve sleep respiratory disorder and daytime sleepiness. Our finding suggests this therapy is a safe and effective method for still existing mild-to-moderate OSAS after UPPP surgery.