Objective To perform a systematic review to determine if isolated nasal surgery has any impact on subjective or objective parameters in adult obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. Materials and Methods From December 2022 to March 2023, we conducted a search on the PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Two independent investigators performed a study selection according to the established criteria, as well as data collection, including the study design, the subjective and objective parameters addressed, the type of intervention, and the outcomes, considering the methodological quality and risk of bias. Results In total, 25 studies met the selection criteria, and they showed that there is a significant improvement in sleep quality, sleepiness, nasal resistance, and snoring after isolated nasal surgery. Still, there is no relevant modification of other polysomnographic parameters. It also reduces the required titration pressures of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and increases the duration of its use. Conclusion Isolated nasal surgery is not a primary treatment for OSA. Still, it improves the subjective parameters and can lead to CPAP therapy success by enhancing its effectiveness and long-term compliance.

Study Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the modifiable risk factors associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and analyze extant publications solely focused on prevention of the disease. Methods: Studies focused on prevention strategies for OSA and modifiable risk factors were eligible for inclusion. A detailed individual search strategy for each of the following bibliographic databases was developed: Cochrane, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, and LILACS. The references cited in these articles were also crosschecked and a partial gray literature search was undertaken using Google Scholar. The methodology of selected studies was evaluated using the 14-item Quality Assessment Tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies. Results: Search resulted in 720 publications examining risk factors and prevention of OSA, as well as lifestyle modifications. Of these, a thorough assessment of the abstracts and content of each of these manuscripts led to the rejection of all but four papers, the latter being included in this systematic review. In contrast, a search regarding “Therapeutics” showed that 23 674 articles on OSA were published, clearly illustrating the imbalance between the efforts in prevention and those focused on therapeutics. Conclusions: Notwithstanding the importance and benefits of technological advances in medicine, consideration of the needs of people with OSA and its consequences prompts advocacy for the prevention of the disease. Thus, despite the economic interests that focus only on diagnosis and treatment, strategies preferentially aimed at overall avoidance of OSA emerge as a major priority. Thus, public and healthcare provider education, multidimensional prevention, and early diagnosis of OSA should be encouraged worldwide.

Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) is a condition of the oral cavity in which an abnormally short lingual frenulum affects the tongue’s mobility. Literature on the correlation between ankyloglossia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is scarce. The main objective of this study was to report our preliminary experience in adult OSA patients before and after ankyloglossia treatment, using drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) to evaluate the upper airway modifications resulting after treatment, and to present a systematic review of the impact of ankyloglossia and its treatment on OSA adults. We found that, after frenotomy, regarding the DISE findings, and according to the VOTE classification, two of the three patients showed an improvement in tongue level, from 2A-P (complete anteroposterior collapse) to 1ap (partial anteroposterior collapse). The third patient showed no changes in his UA after frenotomy, neither worsening nor showing improvement. Thus, the results of this study suggest that frenotomy in OSA patients with ankyloglossia could reduce tongue collapse, probably by allowing the tongue to take into the physiological position in the oral cavity. These patients should undergo speech therapy and oropharyngeal exercises prior to any surgical procedure, in order to avoid glossoptosis and to improve the quality of life and sleep apnea results.

Purpose: This article presents a narrative review of current recommendations for the clinical evaluation and management of adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to identify points missing from a myofunctional perspective. Methods: The authors reviewed current official guidelines for adult patients with OSA, searching clinical evaluation and treatment recommendations for myofunctional therapy. Results: None of the current guidelines for evaluation of adult OSA recommend performing a myofunctional evaluation. Only two guidelines consider myofunctional therapy (MFT) as a treatment modality for adult patients with OSA. Conclusion: Despite the role of the pharyngeal dilator muscles as an essential contributor to the pathogenesis of OSA, this review has shown that myofunctional assessment is still not a standard recommendation in current guidelines for adult OSA. Recent guidelines occasionally include MFT as a therapeutic tool for OSA. To strengthen the knowledge base and evidence for including MFT treatment for adult patients with OSA, the authors encourage physicians to incorporate myofunctional evaluation into their regular clinical practice.

Tongue mobility is an obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) marker and myofunctional therapy (MFT) target. For this reason, all paediatric patients with sleep-disordered breathing should require a combined functional assessment from an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist and a phonoaudiologist to confirm or rule out the presence of ankyloglossia. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a 13-year-old girl diagnosed with severe OSA and a significant decrease of 94% in her apnoea index (AI), requiring frenotomy with an immediate postoperative change in the tongue position. A drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) was performed before and immediately postfrenotomy, and the anatomical changes provoked by this surgery during sleep were confirmed for the first time.

Background: Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) are a valid alternative for patients with moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who do not tolerate continuous positive airway pressure. Despite their efficacy, both adherence and long-term results remain a challenge. Myofunctional therapy (MT) has shown potential to improve upper airway muscle tone and reduce OSA severity, but its role as an adjunct to MAD treatment is still unclear. This protocol evaluates whether app-based MT (Airway Gym) can improve adherence and clinical outcomes in patients with moderate OSA treated with MADs. We describe the study design. Objective: This study aims to evaluate whether a mobile app–based MT program (Airway Gym) can improve adherence to MAD therapy and related sleep parameters in patients with moderate OSA treated with MADs. Methods: This multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled study included adults aged 18‐75 years with moderate OSA (apnea–hypopnea index 15‐30). Participants were randomized into four groups: (1) placebo exercises, (2) MT only, (3) MAD only, and (4) MAD plus MT. Outcomes included changes in the apnea–hypopnea index, oxygen desaturation index, sleep quality (Epworth and Pittsburgh scores), and tongue strength/endurance measured with the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument and a tongue digital spoon. Adherence was monitored via telemedicine and sleep diaries. Results: Recruitment began in February 2024 across participating centers. Data collection was planned to continue until December 2025, after which the final analyses were performed. The protocol described the study procedures up to the most recent administrative review conducted in January 2025. Conclusions: This protocol describes the rationale and methodology of a randomized trial evaluating app-based MT as an adjunct to MAD therapy in patients with moderate OSA. Full study results will be reported after the final analysis.