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Lingual tonsillectomy with palatal surgery for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Objective

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate effects of lingual tonsillectomy with palatal surgery as a combined procedure for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults.

Search methods

Data source: a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, Scopus, Ovid, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library was performed through November 2017. Manual searches and subject matter expert input were also obtained. This review includes studies assessing efficacy of lingual tonsillectomy with palatal surgery as a combined procedure for the treatment of OSA in adults, who had multilevel obstruction including lingual tonsil hypertrophy, in which apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) or respiratory disturbance index (RDI) were reported.

Results

A total of four studies (107 patients) met our inclusion criteria. Pooled random effects analysis demonstrated a statistically significant improvement of polysomnographic respiratory events postoperatively, with average AHI reduction of 18.51 events per hour, [95% confidence interval (CI) (− 31.72, − 5.31); P = 0.006] and increase in minimal arterial oxygen saturation of 5.26 [95% CI (0.10, 10.42); P = 0.05]. The result also showed that the procedures significantly improved sleepiness resulting in an average Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) reduction of 5.44 [95% CI (− 8.69, − 2.18); P = 0.001].

Conclusion

A combination of lingual tonsillectomy with palatal surgery may offer benefits in a selected group of OSA adults, in terms of apnea/hypopnea index, minimal arterial oxygen saturation and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Data were based on meta-analysis of all case series with 2–6 months’ follow-up.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Ms. Narumol Jariyasophit, Ms. Sranya Phaisawang and Ms. Pornthip Sinthavanurak for their generous contributions on this manuscript’s English editing.

Funding

This study has no funding to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Pranangklao Hospital, Nonthaburi, Thailand

    Phantipar Samutsakorn

  2. Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, 1873 Rama4 Road Patumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    Prakobkiat Hirunwiwatkul, Busarakum Chaitusaney & Natamon Charakorn

  3. Excellence Center for Sleep Disorders, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, 1873 Rama4 Road Patumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    Prakobkiat Hirunwiwatkul, Busarakum Chaitusaney & Natamon Charakorn

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  1. Phantipar Samutsakorn
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Correspondence to Natamon Charakorn.

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Samutsakorn, P., Hirunwiwatkul, P., Chaitusaney, B. et al. Lingual tonsillectomy with palatal surgery for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 275, 1005–1013 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-018-4887-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-018-4887-6

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