Sleep-disordered breathing can significantly affect an individual's health and quality of life, as well as his or her bed partner. Studies link sleep deficiency to multiple comorbidities, including heart disease and stroke.^1,2 Yet most people with sleep apnea are undiagnosed.^1,2 Medtronic offers innovative solutions to help treat patients with sleepdisordered breathing, such as the Repose Tongue

Tongue and Hyoid Procedures for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Tongue suspension is a first-stage treatment for retrolingual obstruction, and hyoid suspension is a first-stage treatment for hypopharyngeal obstruction. Each surgery may be performed independently or in conjunction with other procedures, such as UPPP, radiofrequency, etc. Other advantages include:

• Suspension techniques are minimally invasive, which helps reduce procedure and recovery times
• Clinical studies demonstrate maximum efficacy by addressing multiple points of obstruction for most OSA patients
• Clinical efficacy shown in thousands of patients since FDA clearance in 1998.

Nota Bene: The technique descriptions herein and the use of instructions for the related procedures are made available by Medtronic ENT to the healthcare professional to illustrate the author's suggested treatment for the uncomplicated procedure. In the final analysis, the preferred treatment is that which, in the healthcare professional's judgment, addresses the needs of the individual patient.