title: Barbed reposition pharyngoplasty (BRP) for OSAHS: a feasibility, safety, efficacy and teachability pilot study. "We are on the giant's shoulders".
abstract: A new palatal procedure for snoring/obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is described. The procedure was named as barbed reposition pharyngoplasty (BRP). The technique is described step by step. The new surgical technique was carried out in ten adult OSA patients with mean age of 53.4 ± 12.4 years (average 30-70) with confirmed retropalatal obstruction. In this pilot study; we assessed the feasibility by calculating the number of cases that failed to be operated and converted to other palatal technique during the same surgical setting, safety was assessed by evaluating both intra-operative and post-operative complications, teachability measured by the learning curve of our team members (the time of surgical procedure). In this study, the technique is proved to be feasible in all cases. There were no significant intra-operative or post-operative complications. Objective clinical improvement was confirmed by polysomnography 6 months post-operative with significant decrease in mean AHI from 43.65 ± 26.83 to 13.57 ± 15.41 (P = 0.007), daytime sleepiness assessed by Epworth Sleepiness Scale from 11.6 ± 4.86 to 4.3 ± 2 (P < 0.01), ODI from 44.7 ± 27.3 to 12.9 ± 16.3 (P = 0.004). Operative time decreased over the course of the study with an initial steep ascent in technical skill acquisition followed by more gradual improvement, and a steady decrease in operative time to as short as 20 min. Our preliminary results suggest that BRP technique is feasible, safe and effective in management of OSA patients. Moreover, it is easy to learn even for not experienced surgeons, less time consuming and with no significant complications.
authors: Department of Special Surgery, ENT and Oral Surgery Unit, G.B. Morgagni-L. Pierantoni Hospital, University of Pavia, Forlì, Italy.
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Vicini
authors: Ehsan
authors: E
authors: Hendawy
authors: Aldo
authors: A
authors: Campanini
authors: Mohamed
authors: M
authors: Eesa
authors: Ahmed
authors: A
authors: Bahgat
authors: Saleh
authors: S
authors: AlGhamdi
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Meccariello
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: DeVito
authors: Filippo
authors: F
authors: Montevecchi
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Mantovani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012913:Snoring / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome