Anteroposterior and Lateral Epiglottis-Related Obstruction in Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea

What are the risk factors for anteroposterior and lateral epiglottis-related obstruction during drug-induced sleep endoscopy in adults with obstructive sleep apnea?In this cross-sectional study of 708 adults, the prevalence of partial or complete epiglottis-related obstruction was 15.9% overall (100 [14.1%] anteroposterior, 13 [1.8%] lateral). Anteroposterior and lateral epiglottis-related obstruction demonstrated different risk factors, although posterior displacement of the epiglottis off the tongue base during awake upright flexible fiberoptic endoscopy was associated with both configurations.Anteroposterior and lateral epiglottis-related obstruction represent distinct entities; posterior epiglottis displacement during awake examination may be an indication for drug-induced sleep endoscopy.

Corresponding Author: Eric J. Kezirian, MD, MPH, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 1131 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 302, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (ekezirian@mednet.ucla.edu).

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