Comprehensive approach and treatment of snoring and sleep apnoea syndrome

About 8.5% of Vietnam’s population suffer from sleep apnoea, a disease leading to stroke and a tripling of mortality risk over 15 years, according to information from the “Comprehensive Approach for Treatment of Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Syndrome” CME Training Programme.

The event was organized by FV Hospital and Can Tho ENT Hospital in Can Tho city last Saturday with the consultation of Thomson Medical Group (Singapore). It attracted more than 300 doctors from nine southern Vietnam provinces and the participation of keynote speakers who specialize in ENT, maxillofacial surgery, general surgery, and nutrition.

At this event, Vo Cong Minh, MD, PhD, head of the ENT department at FV Hospital, emphasised that sleep apnoea originates from various causes, including lifestyle changes, obesity, and other chronic conditions. Therefore, optimal treatment requires a multidisciplinary and multifaceted approach.

For obstructive sleep apnoea, patients should first be screened and evaluated for upper airway issues by ENT specialists through polysomnography, conducted within 12 months, or comprehensive ENT examinations and endoscopy. Based on screening results, doctors will use the Apnoea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) to determine whether the patient requires surgery or medical treatment.

Another cause of sleep apnoea can be abnormal jawbone structure, which narrows or obstructs the airway during sleep. According to Nguyen Thanh Tung, MD, PhD, head of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery – Dental Surgery at FV Hospital, patients may be prescribed dental devices to advance the lower jaw forward during sleep to prevent the lower jaw from causing airway obstruction.

For more severe cases, patients may be recommended for surgery using the technique of maxillary and mandibular osteotomy, where the upper and lower jaw bones are advanced forward.

Specialist Level II, Nguyen Viet Quynh Thu, MD, MSc, head of Dietetics and Nutrition Department at FV Hospital, noted that obesity is a major factor for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). For every 10% increase in body weight, the risk of OSA increases six fold. Therefore, weight loss is crucial and can significantly reduce the severity of sleep apnoea by following a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, and using medication if necessary.

In cases where patients have a high body mass index and weight reduction through diet, exercise, and medication is not effective, surgical methods such as gastric bypass surgery may be considered.

Dr Tan provided updates on advanced techniques in treating hearing disorders. "His presentation was highly valued as this field is still relatively new in Vietnam,” said Dr Barrie Tan, a renowned ENT from Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore.

Dr Barrie Tan’s significant participation underscores FV Hospital’s commitment to “Bringing Singaporean Medicine to Vietnam”.