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Abstract

Objective: One of the most commonly prescribed treatments to lessen the severity of sleep apnea is weight loss. However, only in the last few decades has objective assessment of airway alterations following weight loss been studied.

Methods: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the literature-reported changes following weight loss.

Results: The majority of studies revealed an expansion of the retropalatal region; some indicating that the lateral pharyngeal region was the predominant location of this increase. Volumetric reconstruction studies revealed significant volumetric reductions in all soft tissues of the pharynx, pterygoid, and genioglossus muscles, as well as significant reductions in parapharyngeal fat deposits, lateral wall fat, and tongue fat. By bringing the hyoid closer to the posterior nasal spine and reducing the distance between the hyoid and the chin, studies evaluating craniofacial bone structures revealed a reduction in airway height.

Conclusion: There are only a few studies that evaluate changes in the upper airways following weight loss and how these changes affect obstructive sleep apnea with a high level of scientific evidence. Specifically at the retropalatal site, where there is an apparent gain in the lateral area of the airway and hyoid relocation.