HSC Section 3 - Trauma, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine

Hohenhorst et al Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy in Adults

Figure 4 Oropharynx and tonsil obstruction. (A) No obstruction; (B) complete lateral collapse; (C) partial obstruction by tonsils; (D) complete obstruction by kissing tonsils; (E) kissing tonsils view in the oral cavity.

retrolingual obstruction, the oropharyngeal lateral walls, tongue, and epiglottis can each play a more prominent role. Because surgical procedures may exert differential effects on these structures and their contribution to upper airway obstruction, distinguishing between the structural contribu-

tions may play a critical role in procedure selection and improvement of outcomes. Expert opinion suggests that surgical success rates are lower in concentric obstruction. Concentric obstruction is usually related to higher body mass index and in particular to increased

195