Acoustic parameters of snoring sound to assess the effectiveness of sleep nasendoscopy in predicting surgical outcome

Abstract

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of two grading systems used to predict surgical outcome in nonapneic snorers.

Study Design

A prospective observational study. Prior to undergoing palatal surgery, 20 patients completed a sleep nasendoscopic examination involving sequential steady-state sedation with intravenous propofol. Using a combination of acoustic parameters of snoring sound as an objective outcome measurement, and the answers to a specifically designed questionnaire as a subjective outcome measurement, the effectiveness of each grading system in predicting surgical outcome was examined.

Results

Depending on the outcome measurement used, sensitivity in predicting success of surgery for snoring varied from 16.7% to 50.0% and specificity from 38.5% to 62.5% for the Pringle and Croft system, while sensitivity varied from 91.7% to 100% and specificity from 30.8% to 31.5% for the Camilleri system.

Conclusion

Sleep nasendoscopy using these classifications cannot be recommended as a reliable predictor of surgical outcome in nonapneic snorers.

EBM rating: C-4