The 3D printed airway model is able to be accurately scaled to various sizes and simulate the mechanical properties of the desired age group. The 3D printed model provides an excellent alternative to animal models in terms of practicality, logistics of use, and anatomical accuracy.

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ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore how obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects the function of each vestibular organ and to identify the correlations among them.MethodsA prospective study was conducted involving 32 healthy controls and 64 patients with OSA. The objective detection methods of the utricle and saccule are vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs). A combination of the caloric test and video head impulse test (vHIT) was used to comprehensively evaluate the objective function of semicircular canals.ResultsElevated thresholds (p < 0.001), decreased waveform amplitudes (p < 0.001), prolonged first wave latencies (p < 0.001), and shortened first interpeak latencies (p < 0.001) were observed in both ocular VEMP (oVEMP) and cervical VEMP (cVEMP). A significant difference was found in the caloric test comparison (χ2 = 4.030, p = 0.045) but not in the vHIT. The intergroup comparison of normal rates among the VEMPs, caloric test, and vHIT groups showed a significant difference (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe impairment of vestibular function in patients with OSA was uneven and biased. More attention should be given to vestibular dysfunction in the diagnosis and treatment of OSA.

BackgroundTo explore the feasibility, the efficacy, and the mechanism of mandibular advancement devices (MAD) in the treatment of persistent sleep apnea after surgery.MethodsNineteen patients who failed uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) or UPPP plus genioglossus advancement and hyoid myotomy (GAHM) were given a non-adjustable MAD for treatment. All patients had polysomnography (PSG) at least 6 months post-UPPP with and without the MAD. Seventeen patients had computed tomography (CT) examinations.ResultsAfter the application of MAD, the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) decreased significantly from 41.2 ± 13.1/h to 10.1 ± 5.6/h in the responder group. The response rate was 57.9 % (11/19). During sleep apnea/hypopnea acquired from sedated sleep, the cross-sectional area and anterior-posterior and lateral diameters of the velopharynx enlarged significantly from 4.2 ± 6.0 mm2 to 17.5 ± 15.3 mm2, 1.9 ± 2.3 mm to 6.5 ± 4.1 mm, and 1.1 ± 1.3 mm to 2.6 ± 2.1 mm, respectively (P < 0.01) in the responder group with MAD. The velopharyngeal collapsibility also decreased significantly from 83.3 ± 21.8 % to 46.5 ± 27.1 %. The glossopharyngeal collapsibility decreased from 39.8 ± 39.1 % to −22.9 ± 73.2 % (P < 0.05).ConclusionMAD can be an effective alternative treatment for patients with moderate and severe OSAHS after surgery. The principal mechanisms underlying the effect of MAD are expansion of the lateral diameter of the velopharynx, the enlargement of the velopharyngeal area, the reduction of velopharyngeal and glossopharyngeal collapsibility, and the stabilization of the upper airway.