A new study shows that surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) yields better results for patients who experience deeper sleep and fewer nighttime awakenings.
OSA is a condition characterized by repeated partial or complete airway obstruction during sleep, leading to recurrent episodes of low oxygen levels. This can significantly impair sleep quality and contribute to the onset or worsening of chronic diseases.
Professor Lee Dong-yeon
Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital Seoul said Tuesday that a research team led by Professor Lee Dong-yeon of the Department of Otolaryngology has identified indicators that can help predict the effectiveness of sleep surgery in OSA patients. The study analyzed how preoperative polysomnographic (sleep study) findings and drug-induced sleep endoscopy correlate with postoperative outcomes.
The research team evaluated 56 adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea who underwent both pre- and postoperative polysomnography as well as drug-induced sleep endoscopy. Patients whose apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) decreased by 20 or more events per hour after surgery were classified as the “improved group,” while those whose AHI increased by 20 or more events per hour were categorized as the “worsened group.”
The improved group had a higher frequency of apnea and hypopnea events prior to surgery, larger tonsils, deeper sleep during non-REM stages, and fewer awakenings. No significant differences in airway obstruction patterns were found during sleep endoscopy.
Polysomnography showed that patients with improved outcomes had more deep sleep and fewer awakenings, with respiratory abnormalities occurring mainly during non-REM sleep.
Multivariate analysis further confirmed that a higher proportion of deep sleep and fewer sleep-time awakenings were associated with better surgical outcomes.
“This study analyzed commonly used diagnostic tools—polysomnography and sleep endoscopy—to determine which patients benefit most from sleep apnea surgery,” Professor Lee said. “While sleep endoscopy plays an important role in selecting the appropriate surgical method, it was not particularly helpful in predicting postoperative outcomes. In contrast, patients with a higher proportion of deep sleep and fewer awakenings tended to have better surgical outcomes. The findings offer valuable guidance for prioritizing candidates, with the potential to improve treatment strategies and patient outcomes going forward.”
Kim Kyoung-Won
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