Sleep apnea patients in Mississippi interested in Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation now have a new option, reports the Meridian Star.
“Until now, Mississippi’s only provider of Inspire therapy was University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson,” said John G. Anderson, President and CEO of Anderson Regional Health System. Patients were traveling to Jackson or possibly Birmingham to receive treatment that is now available close to home. We are committed to continue providing our patients with new treatment options that improve their quality of life.”
Inspire therapy is the first implantable device for treating OSA. In contrast to CPAP, Inspire therapy works from inside the body and with a patient’s natural breathing process. The implantable system includes a small generator, a sensing lead and a stimulation lead. Turned on by a handheld remote, it delivers mild stimulation to key airway muscles, which keeps the airway open during sleep.
Get the whole story at www.meridianstar.com
It is interesting to view all the excitement about Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation. Yes, new options for treating OSA are necessary, but, this procedure should be reserved for a very select (I.e., small) group of patients. Your talking about implanting a “pacemaker” into someone as a life-long therapy and should not be recommended lightly. Just because you have a new hammer, all patients are not nails. There are still safer and better surgical procedures available for the majority of OSA patients. One that receives little attention is Radiofrequency Tissue Volume Reduction of the Tongue Base. This procedure is safe, timely, effective and efficient while being patient-centered (I.e., highly selected over other therapies when considering patient preference and selection). Newer isn’t always better. Let’s not get into going deer hunting with an elephant gun. Appropriate therapy for the appropriate patient drives better outcomes, increased value while curtailing healthcare costs.
agree absolutely.