Forget all-night CPAP, just chuck some electrodes on your tongue.
Neurostimulation for obstructive sleep apnoea is, in this humble scribes’ opinion, a gloriously weird emerging practice.
Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) is a novel approach for managing obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
Through small incisions in the chest and jaw, cuff or saddle electrodes are placed on one, or both, of the hypoglossal nerves, stimulating the tongue and keeping the airway open during sleep.
This is already considered a minimally invasive procedure, but now, an even less invasive percutaneous technique has been successfully tested.
The team of Flinders University researchers and clinicians recruited 14 adults with diagnosed moderate-to-severe OSA. They had all been referred for drug-induced sleep endoscopy or upper airway surgery by their ear nose and throat specialist and were mostly obese males.
Once under sedation during a procedure designed to mimic sleep apnoea breathing patterns, a linear, multipair electrode array was then implanted in the skin using ultrasound to locate the nerves.
“We saw significant improvements in breathing in 93% of participants, with airflow increases comparable to CPAP therapy, even when the upper airway was completely closed,” Dr Amal Osman, research fellow and lead author, told media.
The technique is safe, quick and easily implemented, said Professor Simon Carney, ENT Surgeon at Flinders Private Hospital and co-author of the study.
“Importantly, we were able to open airways in patients previously considered unsuitable for HNS,” he said.
“We believe this could become a viable option for patients seeking alternatives to CPAP,” said Professor Eng Ooi, Head of Otolaryngology at Flinders Medical Centre.
The team, excited by this success, have set to work refining the technique, which includes looking at wearable technologies.
With the current trajectory, this back page scribbler can imagine a future where your tongue electrodes can be hooked up to the massage chair while you get your pedicure.
As long as they don’t get splashed with footbath water.
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