Posted by Captin Cannuck on August 11, 2009 at 07:38:38:

Dear Dr. Li,

In your last comment you said that "tracheotomy doesn’t eliminate sleep apnea in many patients (some have RDI in the 20s afterwards based on published results), but all are significantly improved, which is the aim of all treatment".

I am interested in this topic. I have two questions:

1. I would like to know if you are talking about central or mixed sleep apnea, or whether you are talking specifically about obstructive sleep apnea.

I have read on this topic and I have always found that the literature said that tracheostomies bypass the points of obstruction adn thus a person would have no obstructive sleep apnea (although they might have central or mixed apneas which would remain present).

Could you please clarify what you mean about this.

2. You said that some have RDIs of more than 20 afterward. Is that common or rare cases. What is typical RDI of a patient who has had a tracheotomy?

Thank you.

Follow Ups:

---

Post a Followup

E-Mail  :  required - same address used when you registered (will not show up in posting)
Password:  required (sent to you when you registered)

Subject : Re: Question for Dr. Li - tracheotomy

Comments:....note: including your email address here will result in the removal of your posting (See removal policy)

 

PLEASE ONLY CLICK THE SUBMIT FOLLOW UP BUTTON ONCE!!. Thanks, Sandman

---

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Non-CPAP Forum24 ] [ FAQ ]