TY - JOUR T1 - Measurement of snoring and stertor using the Sonomat to assess effectiveness of upper airway surgery in children JF - ERJ Open Research JO - erjor DO - 10.1183/23120541.sleepandbreathing-2021.36 VL - 7 IS - suppl 7 SP - 36 AU - M Milross AU - M Norman AU - C Sullivan Y1 - 2021/04/16 UR - http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/7/suppl_7/36.abstract N2 - Background/Aim: The success of surgical treatment for pediatric sleep-disordered breathing is typically assessed using the mixed and obstructive apnea/hypopnea index (MOAHI). Although an important metric, previous work has shown that snoring/stertor are also associated with sleep disruption. Our aim was to assess the efficacy of surgery using the Sonomat, a non-contact sleep assessment system, that accurately records complete and partial upper airway obstruction.Methods: Forty children (<18yrs) had a Sonomat study, in their own beds, before and after surgery. As a MOAHI ≥1 event/hr is considered abnormal the same threshold was applied to snore/stertor runs. Median (interquartile range) values are reported.Results: Respiratory event induced movements decreased from 12.0 (8.7, 19.0) to 0.5 (0.1, 3.2)/hr (p<0.01), with no significant change in spontaneous movements 12.8 (9.8, 17.9) to 16.5 (13.7, 26.1)/hr (p=0.07). The MOAHI decreased from 4.5 (1.9, 8.6) to 0.0 (0.0, 0.4)/hr (p<0.01). Snoring/stertor runs decreased from 32.8 (23.4, 44.4) to 3.0 (0.2, 14.6)/hr, (p<0.01). Thirty-four children had a MOAHI <1/hr following surgery, however, 20 had snore/stertor runs ≥1/hr and 11 for ≥5/hr. Only 14 (35%) children had a post-surgery MOAHI <1/hr combined with snoring/stertor <1 run/hr.Conclusions: Although surgery is effective in improving breathing, success rates are over-estimated using the MOAHI. Our results indicate that snoring/stertor is still present at levels that may disrupt sleep despite a normalization of the MOAHI. As sleep disruption is linked to behavioral outcomes this is an important finding. Sleep investigations should include measurement of snoring and stertor.FootnotesCite this article as ERJ Open Research 2021; 7: Suppl. 7, 36.This is an ERS Lung Science Conference abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only). ER -