POSTURAL CHANGES IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING HYOID SURGERY FOR OSAS

Abstract

The hyoid bone is the only "suspended bone" in our body, and its suspension system has an important role in posture maintenance. We studied postural modification in a group of patients affected by Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndromewho had undergone surgical treatment including hyoid suspension. The surgical procedure performed was section of supra- and infrahyoid muscle and mobilization of the hyoid bone through its suspension to the thyroid cartilage. We studied the postural changes with stabilometric tests. In the early post-operative (one week) follow-up, we performed a posturography test with closed eyes and occlusal disjunction, and saw a worsening of the average parameter of the centre of pressure with antero-posterior oscillations. However, we would like to highlight that by the time of the one year follow up, a compensatory mechanism had been established which allowed for a return to normal hyoid bone kinematics.

Keywords

• hyoid bone
• postural balance
• obstructive sleep apnea