If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you may be interested in exploring surgical treatment options. One such option is the hypoglossal nerve stimulator called Inspire. What is Inspire? Who should consider using it and what are the side effects? Learn about the Inspire upper airway stimulator and whether it might be the right therapy for you.

Candidates for Inspire Placement

The Inspire stimulator is a surgically implanted device that activates the hypoglossal nerve to tighten the muscles of the tongue and upper airway during sleep, improving airflow and reducing sleep apnea. It is approved for use by those with:

Moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index or AHI greater than15)
Non-compliance with continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) therapy after a trial
Body-mass index (BMI) less than 32, excluding those with morbid obesity

There are also a few relative contraindications to the use of Inspire therapy. If the obstruction contributing to sleep apnea is occurring within the nose, due to allergies or a deviated nasal septum, it will be ineffective. Similarly, certain skeletal anatomy (such as a small or recessed lower jaw) may be a reason to not pursue the treatment.

If tonsils are enlarged, surgery targeting these tissues may be more appropriate. Certain neuromuscular conditions that affect the ability to swallow or contribute to slurred speech may also be a contraindication. If frequent MRIs are needed for other medical conditions, the device is not safe for use with these studies. The treatment is not approved for use in children.

Most people who undergo Inspire surgery have moderate to severe sleep apnea and have failed CPAP therapy, despite their best efforts. They continue to have symptoms and may be desperate for an effective solution. Surgery may be appealing as a more permanent fix to a problem that may not otherwise go away.

Questions to Ask Your Sleep Surgeon

It is important to have a comprehensive understanding of the role of this treatment in your condition. The first choice for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea is the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Success with this treatment requires proper mask fitting and optimal device settings. In some cases, alternatives such as weight loss, bilevel therapy, the use of an oral appliance, or positional therapy can be pursued. In some cases, nothing seems to work.

Once you have exhausted treatment options with your board-certified sleep physician, it may be necessary to consider the role of the Inspire hypoglossal nerve stimulator. Consider some of these questions to ask the surgeon:

Are you a good candidate for the surgery?
If you couldn't do this surgery, what would they recommend as treatment instead?
How often have they done this procedure?
What is their success rate in resolving sleep apnea (AHI <5)?
How many patients have complications such as bleeding, infection, or device removal?
How will you know if the therapy works well for you?
Do they have support to work through the insurance approval process?
Will you have testing after the device is placed to determine settings and response to therapy?
Who will you follow up with once the surgery is complete?

There may be additional considerations based on your specific circumstances.

Determining Good Candidates for Surgery

After a consultation with the sleep surgeon, you will likely have a procedure called a drug-induced sleep endoscopy to assess your anatomy. In a controlled environment, a medication will be administered that causes unconsciousness and muscle relaxation. This helps to determine whether your airway collapses completely from all sides. If it does, surgery may not be effective and the procedure would not be performed.

Some patients, called non-responders, do not benefit from the Inspire treatment. This is more likely if the airway seems to completely collapse from all sides during the endoscopy procedure. If this test demonstrates appropriate anatomy, then surgery will be arranged.

Surgery for the Placement of the Inspire Stimulator

Inspire must be placed during surgery with general anesthesia in an operating room. Once you are determined to be a candidate, a specially trained ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist performs the surgery as an outpatient procedure.

The stimulation wire is placed leading to the hypoglossal nerve and wraps one of its distal branches. A second sensing lead is placed along the rib cage to detect breathing so the tongue muscle and airway can be stimulated at the proper time as breath is drawn in. Finally, the stimulator itself is placed within the right upper chest wall and connected to the sensors. The entire procedure takes about two hours.

After the surgery, patients usually go home if there have not been any complications. Most do not require the use of narcotic pain medications. It is recommended that strenuous activity be avoided for two to three weeks following the surgery. A regular diet can be consumed without any necessary modifications.

How Effective Is Inspire Therapy?

Inspire airway stimulation is a relatively effective treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea when CPAP is not tolerated.

Studies have shown that at 12 months it reduces the AHI from 29.3 to 9.0 events per hour, on average, representing a 68% reduction. It should be noted that the residual AHI still represents mild sleep apnea. This may improve as the therapy is optimized and appropriate candidates are identified.

Excessive daytime sleepiness seems to improve as well. Scores on the Epworth sleepiness scale improved from 11 to 6 with treatment, suggesting a reduction in daytime sleepiness.

When the device is turned off, sleep apnea mostly returns.

Complications of Inspire Surgery

There are few complications to the placement of the Inspire device. About 25% of patients complained of relatively modest pain. About 1/3 of patients complained of tongue discomfort or abrasion, but this seemed to resolve in time.

About 1% developed skin infection or irritation (cellulitis) from the surgery and another 1% had to have another surgery to correct the device placement.

Side Effects and Risks

The treatment is generally well-tolerated once healing from surgery has occurred. Some people find the sensation within the tongue is uncomfortable when the device is activated during sleep. This rarely requires intervention. Additional side effects include:

Excessive bleeding
Damage to the nerve
Infection
Allergic reaction or rejection of the implanted materials
Persistent pain at implant site
Discomfort from stimulation
Tongue soreness or weakness
Tongue movement restrictions
Difficulty swallowing or speaking
Scarring or fibrosis around the implant
Dry mouth
Insomnia
Other acute symptoms (i.e., headaches, coughing, choking)

If symptoms persist, you should discuss the severity and impacts with your surgeon.

Follow Up and Device Use

After the surgery is completed, patients return to see the surgeon for a post-operative check at 7-10 days. The device is turned on at one month. It is recommended to have an in-center sleep study at two months to assess its effectiveness and adjust the settings.

Once placed, the Inspire stimulator can be activated before going to sleep. There is usually a delay of 30 minutes before the stimulation begins. If you wake at night, the device can be paused. It is often set to turn off after 8 hours.

Costs of Inspire Surgery

How much does the treatment cost? The Inspire device presently costs about $30,000 to $40,000 to place, including the expenses associated with surgery, and the replacement of the battery can cost another $17,000. These costs may be covered by insurance.

A Word From Verywell

If you are interested in learning more about the Inspire upper airway stimulator as a treatment option for you, contact a provider near you to discuss this option. Sleep specialists can also provide information about alternative treatments, including the optimized use of CPAP, oral appliances, and other therapies.

Inspire Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator Surgery for Sleep Apnea Treatment