Evaluation of Surgical Learning Curve Effect on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Outcomes in Upper Airway Stimulation.
Christopher LarsenChristopher BoydMark VillwockArmin SteffenClemens HeiserMaurits BoonColin T HuntleyKarl DoghramjiRyan J SooseAlan KominskyTina WatersKirk WithrowNoah P ParkerErica ThalerReena Dhanda PatilKatherine K GreenEugene ChioMaria SuurnaAmy SchellKingman StrohlPublished in: The Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology (2020)
Across the centers' first 20 implants, an approximately 11% reduction operative time was identified, however, no learning curve effect was seen for 6-month or 12-month AHI or ESS over the first twenty implants. Ongoing monitoring through the ADHERE registry will help measure the impact of evolving provider and patient specific characteristics as the number of implant centers increases.