"Shakhbout Medical" It offers hypoglossal nerve stimulation treatment for patients with obstructive sleep apnea
ABU DHABI, 17th February, 2017 (WAM) – Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, one of the largest hospitals specializing in complex and critical care in the UAE, and a subsidiary of the PureHealth Group, has introduced an advanced treatment option, represented by implantable hypoglossal nerve stimulation, for adults with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea is classified as a respiratory disorder characterized by repeated collapse of the upper airway during sleep, which may lead to serious health complications if not treated appropriately. Although continuous positive airway pressure therapy is one of the most common therapeutic methods, a percentage of patients have difficulty tolerating it or continuing to use it in the long term.
The new treatment relies on a medical implant that is installed under the chin through a minimally invasive surgical procedure, where the therapeutic system is activated at night using a single-use medical adhesive, in addition to a rechargeable activation chip for repeated use, which allows providing bilateral stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve with the aim of supporting the upper airway and maintaining its openness during sleep, while synchronizing the stimulation with the patient’s natural breathing pattern to ensure its compatibility with the respiratory cycle.
Before treatment is approved, patients undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation to verify eligibility and anatomical suitability. It targets adults with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea with an apnea-hypopnea index between 15 and 65, and is offered as an advanced treatment option for those who have not achieved effective results using traditional pneumatic compression devices or have difficulty adapting to them. The condition for the patient to be considered eligible is the absence of complete annular collapse of the soft palate, with the possibility of including patients with a body mass index of up to 35 kg/m² among the acceptance criteria.
This treatment is provided through a multidisciplinary pathway that includes sleep medicine, otolaryngology, and perioperative care teams; Patients also receive detailed guidance sessions and consultations on the mechanism of use, including directions related to the nightly routine to activate the external components of the therapeutic system.
Dr. Abdul Qader Al Musabi, Chief Medical Officer of Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, confirmed that the inclusion of an implantable treatment within the approved clinical pathways represents a qualitative addition to the options available to patients who were unable to continue traditional positive airway pressure treatment, indicating that this step reflects the organization’s commitment to enhancing patient-centered care and reducing long-term health complications associated with the condition.
For his part, Dr. Ahmed Al Shamsi, Head of the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, explained that the treatment contributes to improving the quality of sleep by providing directed support for the airway that is in harmony with the body’s natural breathing cycle, pointing out that its approval is made after careful evaluation of each case individually, and that it allows patients to benefit from support during sleep without the need for masks or external devices.
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