Revista de otología y rinología

Quantitative Assessment of an Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patient Before and After Tracheostomy: A Case Study

Anisha R Kumar, Macario Camacho and Robert Capasso

Quantitative Assessment of an Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patient Before and After Tracheostomy: A Case Study

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can cause severe, debilitating sleepiness and is a well known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Continued positive airway pressure (PAP) is usually accepted to be the first line medical management in most adults. Some patients with obstructive sleep apnea who do not improve or cannot tolerate PAP therapy may be candidates for surgical intervention. Tracheostomies were performed in the late 1960’s to early 1980’s as the main surgical therapy for obstructive sleep apnea, until palatal oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal and facial skeletal surgeries were developed.