表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯对噪声性耳蜗损伤的影响

目的 探讨表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(epigallocatechin-3-gallate,EGCG)对噪声性耳蜗损伤的影响.方法 45只豚鼠随机分为EGCG+噪声组、生理盐水+噪声组、正常对照组,每组15只.EGCG+噪声组和生理盐水+噪声组豚鼠在接受噪声暴露(120 dB SPL, 4 h)前一日及每次暴露前1 h分别腹腔注射EGCG(25 mg/1 000 g)和等量生理盐水,正常对照组不予任何处理.噪声暴露后即刻和第1、3、7、14天检测三组豚鼠听性脑干反应(ABR),第14天分离各组豚鼠耳蜗,行耳蜗基底膜、血管纹铺片及免疫组化染色,观察各组豚鼠耳蜗基底膜、血管纹细胞形态及外毛细胞运动蛋白(Prestin)、3-硝基酪氨酸(3-NT)分布的变化.结果 噪声暴露后,EGCG+噪声组各时间点的ABR反应阈均高于对照组,但低于生理盐水+噪声组,从第3天开始,与两组间ABR反应阈差异缩小,但差异仍有统计学意义(均为P<0.05).免疫组织化学染色显示,正常对照组Prestin蛋白显绿染的耳蜗三排外毛细胞排列整齐,无细胞缺失,3-NT主要分布于毛细胞胞质及表皮板;与生理盐水+噪声组相比,噪声暴露后,EGCG+噪声组豚鼠外毛细胞形态较好,Prestin染色清晰;基底膜、血管纹处损伤轻,细胞排列规则,3-NT分布减少.结论 预防性腹腔注射EGCG可减轻噪声引起的耳蜗损伤,对噪声性听力损伤有一定的防护作用.     

5-磷酸二酯酶抑制剂对噪声性聋影响的实验研究

目的探讨5-磷酸二酯酶(PDE5)抑制剂对豚鼠噪声性聋的影响。方法豚鼠随机数字表法分为对照组、噪声暴露组和西地那非给药组,每组15只。西地那非组及噪声组豚鼠在白噪声暴露1周后分别腹腔注射西地那非10mg/(kg.d)及生理盐水4 ml/(kg.d),连续给药4周。分别测试噪声暴露前1天、噪声暴露后1、2及4周听性脑干反应(ABR)阈值及80dB HL下ABRⅠ波潜伏期,并通过扫描电镜观察噪声暴露后4周豚鼠耳蜗毛细胞的形态变化。结果与噪声暴露前相比,西地那非组ABR阈值及Ⅰ波潜伏期均小于噪声组,差异具有统计学意义(P值均<0.01)。扫描电镜显示,噪声组豚鼠耳蜗内、外毛细胞均出现听毛紊乱、融合及缺失;而西地那非组耳蜗病变较轻,听毛仅有轻微倒伏、融合现象。结论西地那非能够减轻噪声对豚鼠耳蜗毛细胞的损害,降低噪声性听觉损伤引起的ABR阈值升高,缩短其引起的Ⅰ波潜伏期延长。     

饱和氢生理盐水对噪声性聋的预防作用

目的探讨饱和氢生理盐水是否具有预防噪声性聋的作用。方法取清洁级白色健康、ABR阈值正常豚鼠15只,雌雄不限,体重250～300g。随机分成3组,空白对照组5只;生理盐水对照组5只;饱和氢生理盐水处理组5只,于噪声暴露前1小时给予腹腔注射饱和氢生理盐水,1ml/100g。给予脉冲噪声(压力峰值157dBSPL,脉宽0.25ms)连续暴露100次。于脉冲噪声暴露后即刻、第1天、第2天、第4天、第8天测听性脑干反应(auditory brainstem respons,ABR);第8天采用琥珀酸脱氢酶(Succinate Dehydrogenase,SDH)染色观察外毛细胞的形态学变化。结果噪声暴露后,饱和氢生理盐水处理组在各时间点的ABR阈值均明显低于对照组,有统计学意义(P<0.01);光学显微镜下可见空白对照组及生理盐水对照组动物耳蜗SDH几乎不着色,细胞肿胀或缺失,排列不规则;饱和氢生理盐水处理组SDH着色较深,存在散在片状无染色区,细胞缺失明显减少,排列较规则;耳蜗底回同一部位外毛细胞存活计数,空白对照组为45.17±12.15个,盐水对照组为44.50±10.02个,二者无明显差别;饱和氢生理盐水处理组分别为116.50±2.38个与对照组有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论腹腔注射饱和氢生理盐水可拮抗强脉冲噪声引起的耳蜗损伤,能够对噪声性聋起到一定程度的预防作用。     

用于毛细胞再生研究的噪声性聋动物模型的建立

目的观察高强度脉冲噪声暴露后豚鼠听功能及耳蜗结构的变化,探讨用于毛细胞再生研究的噪声性聋动物模型的建立方法。方法健康成年白色红目豚鼠50只,雌雄不限,体重250～300g。随机分成2组,正常对照组10只,噪声暴露组40只。给予脉冲噪声（压力峰值为175．0dB SPL,脉宽0．25ms,间隔时间20秒）连续暴露200次。于噪声暴露前及暴露后1周、4周、8周检测听性脑干反应（auditory brainstem respons,ABR）,毛细胞计数及耳蜗铺片免疫组化观察耳蜗结构变化。结果高强度脉冲噪声暴露后1周,40只豚鼠中有21只（52．5％）双耳各频率ABR阈值≥95dBSPL。继续观察至噪声暴露后4周及8剧,ABR阈值没有恢复,1周、4周、8周各频率ABR阈值比较无统计学差异（P〉0．05）。毛细胞计数结果显示,噪声暴露敛极重度聋后1周,内毛细胞平均缺失率为91．4％,外毛细胞平均缺失率为97．2％。免疫组化染色分析结果显示,噪声暴露致聋后1周,内、外毛细胞胞核大部分缺失,内毛细胞内侧及外毛细胞外侧的支持细胞的胞核存存。结论高强度脉冲噪声暴露可造成豚鼠极重度感音神经性聋,耳蜗毛细胞广泛缺失且无法内行恢复,而支持细胞夫部分仔留,是进行毛细胞再生研究的理想动物模型。     

依达拉奉对豚鼠耳蜗急性声损伤的保护作用

目的 探讨自由基清除剂依达拉奉对豚鼠耳蜗急性声损伤的保护作用.方法 48只白色红目雌性豚鼠随机分为6组.A组(空白对照组):不做任何处置,单纯检测听功能和耳蜗自由基含量;B组:鼓室注射生理盐水;C组:鼓室注射依达拉奉;D组:单纯噪声暴露;E组:噪声暴露+静脉注射依达拉奉;F:噪声暴露+鼓室注射依达拉奉.D、E、F组在声压级125 dB的稳态噪声暴露前2 d及暴露2 h后即刻、2、6、12、24、48和72 h检测听功能和耳蜗自由基含量.听功能检测为听性脑干反应(ABR),自由基检测采用电子顺磁共振(electron spin resonance,ESR)技术.比较各组动物在不同时间点ABR阈移及自由基含量的变化.结果 急性声损伤后豚鼠ABR阈值明显升高,与空白对照组比较,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),暴露后72 h仍未恢复正常.鼓室注射依达拉奉可使阈值下降约10 dB,而静脉注射则无此作用.空白对照组豚鼠耳蜗自由基值为21.68(cm/g),急性声损伤后耳蜗自由基含量明显增加,在噪声暴露后2 h达峰值,至观察结束时仍未恢复正常.静脉注射依达拉奉组对噪声损伤后耳蜗自由基生成未见明显抑制作用,而鼓室注射组则可明显抑制自由基产生.结论 经鼓室局部应用依达拉奉,对豚鼠急性声损伤后的耳蜗听觉功能具有保护作用,其机制可能与有效清除局部自由基有关.     

天麻素对噪声性耳蜗损伤防护作用的实验研究

目的观察天麻提取液-天麻素对噪声性耳蜗损伤的防护作用.方法豚鼠28只随机分成3组,正常组8只、噪声组10只和天麻素组10只,暴露于噪声的同时加用天麻素.所有豚鼠均作ABR、耳蜗基底膜铺片和扫描电镜观察.结果噪声组(64.37dB)和天麻素组(31.25dB)ABR阈值均显著高于正常组(20dB),但天麻素组显著低于噪声组(P＜0.01).天麻素组耳蜗毛细胞和静纤毛损害均轻于噪声组.结论天麻素能降低豚鼠噪声暴露后的ABR阈值,减轻毛细胞损害,对噪声性耳蜗损伤有防护作用.     

西地那非对豚鼠噪声性听觉损伤阈移的影响

目的 探讨西地那非(sildenafil)对豚鼠噪声性听觉损伤阈移的影响.方法 将豚鼠按随机数字表法分为对照组、噪声暴露组和西地那非给药组,每组10只.西地那非组及噪声组豚鼠在白噪声(A计权声压级110 dB)暴露1周后分别腹腔注射西地那非10 mg/(kg·d)及生理盐水4mL/(kg·d),连续给药4周.分别测试噪声暴露前1日、噪声暴露后1、2及4周听性脑干反应(ABR)阈值,并通过扫描电镜观察噪声暴露后4周豚鼠耳蜗毛细胞的形态变化.结果 噪声暴露1后,噪声暴露组豚鼠ABR阈值(声压级)平均提高19.1 dB,随着时间推移,阈移逐渐加大,暴露后4周,阈值平均提高22.0 dB;西地那非组噪声暴露后ABR阈值提高19.8 dB,给药后阈移逐渐减小,给药后4周,阈值仅平均提高4.8 dB.西地那非组与噪声暴露组相比,除噪声暴露结束后这一时间点以外,其余给药后各时间点ABR阈值差异均具有统计学意义(P值均＜0.05).扫描电镜显示,噪声组豚鼠耳蜗内、外毛细胞均出现听毛紊乱、融合及缺失;而西地那非组耳蜗病变较轻,听毛仅有轻微倒伏、融合现象.结论 西地那非能够减轻噪声对豚鼠耳蜗毛细胞的损害,降低噪声性听觉损伤引起的ABR阈值升高.     

干细胞移植治疗噪声性和药物性聋的比较实验研究

目的：比较耳蜗干细胞移植治疗噪声性聋豚鼠和药物性聋豚鼠模型的效果。方法选用清洁级健康成年纯白红目豚鼠120只,建立噪声性聋模型耳蜗干细胞移植组、噪声性聋模型空白对照组、药物性聋模型耳蜗干细胞移植组、药物性聋模型空白对照组,每组30只;向噪声性聋模型耳蜗干细胞移植组和药物性聋模型耳蜗干细胞移植组耳蜗分别注入耳蜗干细胞悬液10μl,向噪声性聋模型空白对照组和药物性聋模型空白对照组耳蜗分别注入10μl 生理盐水。于术后7、28、56 d 进行 ABR 检测并进行免疫荧光观测 Nestin 阳性细胞数和 MyosinⅦA阳性细胞数。结果在噪声性聋和药物性聋耳蜗干细胞移植组的耳蜗鼓阶处观测到 Nestin 阳性细胞和 MyosinⅦA 阳性细胞,但噪声性聋干细胞移植组的 Nestin 阳性细胞和 MyosinⅦA 阳性细胞数量多于药物性聋干细胞移植组;耳蜗干细胞移植后噪声性聋和药物性聋组 ABR 反应阈均下降,但术后28天和56天噪声性聋干细胞移植组ABR 阈值分别为52．61±5．14和40．39±4．59 dB SPL,低于药物性聋干细胞移植组（分别为66．39±4．77和60．41±4．17 dB SPL）。结论耳蜗干细胞移植对于噪声性聋豚鼠模型的治疗效果优于药物性聋豚鼠模型。     

睫状神经营养因子防治强脉冲噪声对豚鼠内耳损伤的实验 …

目的 探索应用睫状神经营养因子防治强脉冲噪声对豚鼠内耳损伤的可能性，为强脉冲噪声致聋的防治提供新的方法。方法 制作强脉冲噪声聋豚鼠模型３６只，１８只应用ＣＮＴＦ人注射３周，１８只等量的生理盐水作对照，正常对照豚鼠１８只，进行耳蜗铺片计算机图像分析毛细胞计数，螺旋神经节细胞计数、耳蜗乙酰胆碱酯酶染色铺片观察和ＡＢＲ反应阈测定。结果 正常姐、噪声暴露后２１ｄ的生理盐水对照组和ＣＮＴＦ组耳蜗毛细胞平均总     

强噪声暴露后不同时期豚鼠耳蜗外毛细胞死亡方式的研究

目的观察强噪声暴露后不同时期豚鼠耳蜗外毛细胞的死亡方式。方法选用健康雄性白色豚鼠48只,随机分为健康对照组及噪声暴露后3h、1d、4d、14d、30d组(实验组),每组8只,实验组动物暴露于120dBSPL、4kHz窄带噪声环境4h,各组豚鼠于实验前及噪声暴露后相应时间点处死前测试听性脑干反应(auditorybrainstem response,ABR),然后完成耳蜗基底膜铺片、Hoechst33342荧光染色,共聚焦荧光显微镜观察毛细胞核的变化并计数。对照组不作任何处理。结果实验组噪声暴露后各组ABR反应阈明显高于对照组和噪声暴露前各组(P<0.01),实验组豚鼠耳蜗可见外毛细胞出现凋亡、坏死和缺失三种变化,噪声暴露后3h、1d、4d组凋亡的细胞数明显多于坏死(P<0.05),噪声暴露后14d组凋亡与坏死的细胞数没有明显差别(P>0.05),噪声暴露后30d组坏死细胞数多于凋亡(P<0.05)。结论强噪声暴露后早期豚鼠耳蜗外毛细胞损害以凋亡为主,且凋亡过程迅速,耳蜗基底膜外毛细胞核的缺失主要源于凋亡细胞,强噪声暴露后中晚期外毛细胞损害以坏死为主。     

One‐stop neck lump clinic: phase 2 of audit. How are we doing?

One‐stop neck lump clinic: phase 2 of audit. How are we doing? Regular monitoring and audit of a service are integral to ensuring maintenance of efficiency and standards. This is particularly important where the quality of the service is operator dependent, as is the case in the clinical diagnosis of neck lumps and fine needle aspiration cytology. The one‐stop neck lump clinic has now been running in the department for more than 20 months. A previous article described the results of the first phase audit carried out at 6 months and had identified a waiting time to be seen that was longer than that recommended by the British Association of Otorhinolaryngologists, Head and Neck Surgeons. Measures were implemented to reduce this waiting time and a second audit was carried out after another 10 months with the aims of assessing if modification of the means of referral reduces waiting time and if the outcomes of clinical performance in phase 1 could be maintained or improved. We discuss the results of phase 2 in the audit spiral.     

A Decrease in Maxillary Sinus Pressure,as Seen in Upper Airway Allergy or Infection,Results in an Increase in Upper Airway Nitric Oxide Levels

The paranasal sinuses are connected to the nasal cavity via small osties. Ostial occlusion, caused by mucosal swelling, will result in a slowly increasing negative pressure inside the sinus cavity. In parallel, the oxygen content in the sinus will decrease, resulting in the development of relative hypoxia. Hypoxia is a powerful inducer of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, and inducible NO synthase has been shown to be present in considerable amounts in the upper airways, including the sinuses. The present study was designed to investigate whether a reduction in sinus pressure would affect upper airway NO production. Thirteen healthy volunteers were investigated. A pressure chamber was used to lower the ambient pressure to-4.9 kPa. NO was sampled from one nostril or via a drainage tube inserted into the maxillary sinus before, during and after the hypobaric exposure. When the pressure was decreased, NO levels increased from 256 &#45 15 to 316 &#45 19 ppb ( n =13, p <0.001). The NO levels remained elevated (282 &#45 21 ppb; p <0.05) when measurements were repeated 20 min after leaving the chamber. The nasal airway resistance (V2 tot ) also increased as a result of the chamber session (from 16 &#45 2° before to 21 &#45 3° after; p <0.05). An increase in NO levels was also found when the experiments were repeated with NO sampled directly from the maxillary sinus (225 &#45 6 before and 265 &#45 9 ppb after; n =6, p <0.001). For control purposes the nasal analyses were repeated again, this time under hyperbaric conditions (+4.9 kPa). This resulted in a slight decrease in the NO levels (from 273 &#45 22 to 241 &#45 17 ppb; n =10, p <0.001), but there was no change in the nasal airway resistance. We conclude that a reduction in sinus pressure, as seen in upper airway allergy or infection, may result in an increase in upper airway NO production.     

The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF‐C in early laryngeal cancer: relationship with radioresistance

The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF‐C in early laryngeal cancer: relationship with radioresistance Angiogenesis is essential for tumour growth and invasion. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a prime mediator of tumour angiogenesis. VEGF‐C is a closely related protein that effects lymphatic endothelial cells and may be important in the process of lymphatic metastasis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of these cytokines in patients with T1 and T2a glottic, squamous cell carcinoma, in comparison with normal epithelial control tissue, to ascertain any association with radioresistance. Twenty‐two tumours treated by radiotherapy (13 radiosensitive, nine radioresistant) and seven normal control tissues were studied. The minimum follow‐up was 2 years after radiotherapy. Expression of VEGF and VEGF‐C was evaluated by immunohistochemistry of formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded biopsy specimens. Analysis was carried out using a quantitative computer image analyser. Both VEGF and VEGF‐C were detectable in tumour and normal control specimens. There was increased expression in tumour specimens of both VEGF (P = 0.03) and VEGF‐C (P < 0.001). In addition, the expression of VEGF‐C was associated with tumours of higher histological grade (P = 0.021). There was, however, no difference in VEGF and VEGF‐C expression between radioresistant and radiosensitive tumours. The expression of VEGF and VEGF‐C is increased in early laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). However, measuring the expression of these proteins cannot predict radioresistance in this tumour group.     

Treatment of Maxillary Sinus Carcinoma: Clinical Results Using the Kitasato Modality

The conventional therapeutic regimen for maxillary sinus carcinoma consists of dissection of the maxilla, full-dose irradiation and extensive chemotherapy. However, the results obtained with this treatment are often poor. Even when patients recover, their quality of life is significantly reduced as a result of deformity of facial structures and swallowing and articulation dysfunctions. A retrospective analysis of 68 patients with maxillary sinus carcinoma treated with the Kitasato modality between 1975 and 1999 was conducted. All patients underwent pergingival maxillary sinus surgery combined with pre- and postoperative irradiation therapy with standardized total doses of 16 Gy; the postoperative irradiation was given in combination with regional intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy administered via the superficial temporal artery. All visible tumor lesions were removed where possible in order to preserve or facilitate cellular immunity after surgery. The cumulative 5-year survival rates were 85.7% for Stage II patients, 88.1% for Stage III, 76.6% for Stage IVA and 75.0% for Stage IVB.     

Cervical Reflex Induced by Click Stimuli in Cats

We studied click-evoked potentials in the anterior horn of the spinal cord in 17 cats. A concentric needle electrode was inserted into the anterior horn of the spinal cord at levels C3-C6. Potentials evoked with 105 dB SPL clicks were recorded with a peak latency of 4.89-5.10 ms only at the C3 level. These responses were observed 45-60 dB SPL above the auditory brainstem response (ABR) threshold, and no potentials were evoked by stimulation of the contralateral ear. Average was performed 100 times with changes in stimulation frequency of 1-20 Hz. The amplitude of the potentials decreased with increasing stimulus frequency, but there were no changes in ABRs. The responses disappeared after destruction of the medial vestibulospinal tract at the obex level, but ABRs were still recorded. The spinal nucleus of the accessory nerves was located in the anterior horn of the spinal cord at levels C1-C6, and the sternocleidomastoid muscle motoneurons were found at levels C1-C3. The click-evoked potentials recorded in this study reflect responses of the spinal nucleus of accessory nerves through the vestibulospinal tract to click stimulation. The responses have the same characteristics as vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials that can be recorded using surface electrodes over the sternocleidomastoid muscles of humans.     

Tongue Base Reduction with Temperature-controlled Radiofrequency Volumetric Tissue Reduction for Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

In recent years a considerable effort has been made to establish the use of different surgical techniques for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Nevertheless, treatment of hypopharyngeal obstruction due to tongue base hypertrophy remains in many ways an unsolved problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of tongue base reduction with temperature-controlled radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction in the treatment of OSAS. Twenty patients with OSAS and tongue base hypertrophy were treated with radiofrequency tissue ablation. An intensified treatment protocol was used, delivering 2,800 J per treatment session under local anesthesia. Two nights of polysomnography testing were performed before and after treatment. Daytime sleepiness, snoring and postoperative morbidity were assessed using questionnaires. Mean respiratory disturbance index (RDI) was reduced from 32.1 to 24.9/h after a mean of 3.4 treatment sessions. Six patients (33%) were cured after the procedure (reduction in RDI of &#83 50% and a postoperative RDI of <15/h) and ten (55%) showed an improvement of >20% in their RDI. Daytime sleepiness and snoring improved significantly. Peri- and postoperative morbidity was low; one severe complication occurred (tongue base abscess). We were able to achieve similar cure and responder rates to those reported in a recently published pilot study but with a reduced number of treatment sessions. We believe that this technique may improve patient acceptance and have beneficial cost implications.     

A simple objective evaluation and grading for facial paralysis outcomes

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 degrade type IV collagen, which is one of the major components of the basement membrane in normal tissue and expressed in the surroundings of the cancer nest in squamous cell carinoma. The degeneration of type IV collagen is an essential step in the metastasis to lymph nodes and distant organs. In this study, we examined MMP-2 and -9 levels of cancer tissue and serum obtained from patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in order to evaluate the relationship between the clinicopathologic features and MMPs. We examined the production of MMP-2 and -9 in cancer tissue homogenates of 73 patients who had HNSCC and the serum MMP levels of 16 patients with HNSCC and 8 healthy volunteers. We also studied the localization of MMP-2 in the carcinoma using an immunohistochemical approach. The concentrations of MMP-2 and -9 in the tissue homogenates and serum were measured by means of a sandwich enzyme immunoassay using a monoclonal antibody. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed with monoclonal antibody to MMP-2. The concentration of MMP-2 in the tumor tissue homogenates was unrelated to tumor size, but that in patients with lymph node metastases was significantly higher than in those without lymph node metastases. The concentration of MMP-9 was unrelated to lymph node metastasis and tumor size. The levels of both MMP-2 and -9 in serum were unrelated to lymph node metastasis. Immunohistochemistry indicated that MMP-2 was mainly expressed in cancer cells. Because MMP-2 degrades type IV collagen, the level of MMP-2 in carcinomas may be a useful indicator of the degree of invasion and metastasis.     

A case of cortical deafness and anarthria

The nasal epithelium protects the underlying tissue from damage. Epithelial cell growth is controlled by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and is possibly affected by toxic proteins, e.g. eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). The aims of this study were to examine nasal fluid epithelial cell counts and their relations to EGF, eosinophils and ECP in 23 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and 20 healthy controls. Nasal fluid epithelial cell counts were lower in patients than in controls. EGF levels did not differ between patients and controls, and correlated with epithelial cell counts in controls but not in patients. Eosinophils and ECP were higher in patients than in controls, but did not correlate with epithelial cell counts. The role of growth factors, such as EGF, in regulating epithelial cells merits further study.     

Lack of significant estrogen and progesterone receptor expression in nasal telangiectasias in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: an immunohistochemical analysis

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by snoring and apnea during sleep leading to decreased oxygen saturation and disturbed sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness and neuropsychological disturbances. This study investigates cognitive neuropsychological abilities in a group of 53 OSAS patients before and after treatment with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. General intellectual ability, verbal learning and memory as well as executive functioning were measured at baseline and 6 months postoperatively. After surgery there were significant improvements in verbal learning and memory (mean change - 39, SD 57.3, p <0.001), recall (mean change - 24.3, SD 39.3, p <0.001) and executive functioning (as assessed by percentage of errors on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test; mean change-9.1, SD 15.7, p <0.001). These improvements were in accordance with improvements in the degree of sleep apnea, the oxygen desaturation index (mean change -9.7, SD 15.9, p <0.001) and arterial minimum oxygen saturation (mean change 4.5%, SD 10.2%, p <0.01). Surgical treatment seems to improve verbal learning, memory and recall and executive functions in parallel with better oxygenation in OSAS.