RELIEF OF UPPER AIRWAY-OBSTRUCTION WITH HYPOGLOSSAL NERVE-STIMULATIONIN THE CANINE

Hypoglossal nerve stimulation was investigated as a method to relieve an induced upper airway obstruction. Six dogs were implanted with a cu ff electrode applied to each hypoglossal nerve and a pulse generator, After 4 weeks, the hypoglossal nerve was stimulated (50% duty cycle) f or up to 8 weeks. At 12 weeks a double tracheotomy was placed, with a negative pressure intermittently applied to the upper limb, simulating inspiratory airway pressure, Unilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulation improved peak upper airway flow from an average of 0.1 L/s to 1.6 L/s (P = 0.0001). Seventy-seven percent of the maximum possible flow (exp lanted tracheotomy tube) was obtained with unilateral stimulation, His topathological evaluation revealed no nerve damage secondary to chroni c stimulation, This study provides support for clinical trials of hypo glossal stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea.