gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: Success rates of non-ventilation therapies are unsatisfying. Videoendoscopy under sedation shall visualise the site and mechanism of obstruction and thus allow an individually tailored therapy. It has been suggested that this might increase success rates. Aim of the study is to assess whether videoenscopy under sedation changes the treatment recommendation as given after clinical-endoscopic examination.

Methods: In this prospective single-blind study 67 patients (age 30–85, AHI 0,5–74,8/h, AHI supine 0,0–78,1/h, BMI 20,3–34,9 kg/m²) were included. After clinical-endoscopic ENT-examination all patients were offered a treatment concept. In a blinded fashion a second treatment concept was offered taking into consideration the results of videoendoscopy under sedation. Two patients could not be evaluated videoendoscopically. Operations of the palate (including tonsils), tongue base and epiglottis were differentiated.

Results: At least one site of surgery would have to be changed in 49 patients (75%), more than one site in 25 patients (37%). 35% of the changes were located at the tongue base, 20% at the epiglottis, 11% at the tonsils. The usefulness was indicated in a different way in 34% of the cases. There was no change of the treatment recommendation in 16 (25%) patients.

Conclusion: Videoendoscopy under sedation relevantly influences treatment recommendations. Therefore, a change of success rates is possible.