The effect of conservative nasal management for obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome

Abstract

For severe obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), nasal continuous positive airway pressure (n-CPAP) treatment is the most effective method. For mild or moderate OSAHS, it was reported that oral appliance (OA) therapy is effective. However, because of nasal obstruction, some people dropped out from n-CPAP, and some people could not use OA. Twenty-five patients with OSAHS were treated with conservative management. The average of the apnea-hypopnea index before management was 43.24, after the conservative management, the average was decreased to 26.22. It seemed therefore that conservative management for OSAHS was an option, and that it was important to consider the state of the nasal mucosa in diagnosis and treatment of OSAHS.