Inspire and AIRLIFT Offer Surgical Alternatives to CPAP for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
For individuals suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who find CPAP therapy intolerable, alternative surgical options like Inspire hypoglossal nerve stimulation and AIRLIFT hyoid suspension are available. OSA occurs when the airway repeatedly narrows or collapses during sleep. Inspire addresses this by stimulating the hypoglossal nerve, which moves the tongue forward. In contrast, AIRLIFT hyoid suspension physically repositions and stabilizes a part of the airway. The choice between these treatments, or other alternatives, depends on the patient's specific anatomy, the severity of their OSA, previous treatments, the exact locations of airway collapse, and their treatment goals. It is crucial for treatment decisions to be based on an individual evaluation of the patient's anatomy and obstruction pattern, as sleep apnea is not caused by the same anatomical issues in every person. AIRLIFT can be a standalone procedure or part of a broader multilevel sleep surgery if multiple areas of the airway contrib...
