title: A mandibular advancement device for the ENT office to treat obstructive sleep apnea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To prospectively evaluate the efficacy of the mandibular advancement device (MAD) Somnoguard in the treatment of OSA patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four patients with OSA and noncompliant to continuous positive airway pressure were enrolled in this case series. Somnoguard is made of thermoplastic material. Direct intraoral fitting was done by an otorhinolaryngologist. Polysomnographic data concerning sleep and respiration were assessed at baseline and after familiarization with the MAD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sleep efficiency and sleep stages distribution did not change significantly. The RDI could be reduced from 31.5+/-17.6 to 18.2+/-17.0 (P<0.05), the minimal oxygen saturation increased from 78+/-12.9 to 82+/-12.5% (P<0.05). According to standard criteria, 18 patients were cured, 12 were improved, 8 remained unchanged, and 6 worsened. Snoring time decreased from 223+/-132 to 183+/-134 minutes (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With Somnoguard 68% of the enrolled OSA patients could be cured or substantially improved. It is a simple MAD for the otolaryngologist.
authors.affiliation: Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany. joachim.maurer@hno.ma.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Joachim T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Maurer
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Verse
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hörmann
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stuck
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019186:Mandibular Advancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen