Conclusion
The results of this study are in agreement with existing literature
regarding DISE-directed surgery, and each individual study in this
review carries the same theme of DISE-directed surgery being successful.
We were able to suggest that DISE directed tongue surgery has a
statistically significant improvement in PSG outcomes. While there is
objective collective evidence that DISE-directed surgical decision
making is effective, there is heterogeneity in reported outcomes and
variety in patient demographics as well as confounding variables.
The existing literature demonstrates DISE-directed tongue surgery in
children with persistent OSA can statistically improve AHI and LSAT
levels. However, it does not necessarily cure OSA, as the average AHI
level is 4.2 events/hr after DISE-directed surgical intervention.
Overall, the existing pooled literature demonstrates DISE-directed
tongue surgery can reduce AHI by approximately 50%, improve LSAT by
nearly 3%, and have an overall positive response to surgery rate of
70%.