Prospective multi-center study on expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty

Abstract Background and objective: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the long-term effectiveness of Expansion Sphincter Pharyngoplasty (ESP) as a standalone surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients through a prospective multi-center study. Material and methods: A prospective non-comparative multicenter study of patients suffering from OSHAS selected after drug-induced sleep endoscopy, with ESP as standing alone procedure was performed. Inclusion criteria were lateral collapse on oropharynx and preoperative AHI between 5 and 70. Minimum follow-up was >12 months. Outcome measures were Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), AHI, success rate and CPAP need after surgery. Results: A total of 75 ESP were performed. Mean patient age was 46.7 ± 10.5 years. Mean pre-operative and post-operative AHI was 22.1 ± 12.2 and 8.6 ± 6.7, respectively (p < .001). Mean pre-operative and post-operative ESS score was 11.5 ± 4.7 and 4.6 ± 6.6, respectively (p < .001). AHI <5 was obtained in 25 patients (33.3%), and CPAP was not further needed after surgery in a total of 62 patients (82.6%). Conclusions and significance: In this prospective multi-center study, patients undergoing ESP standing alone for the treatment of OSAHS have a reasonable expectation for success with minimal morbidity.