Five patients with severe obstructive sleep apnoea were treated with continuous positive
airway pressure (CPAP) applied via a comfortable nose mask through the nares. Low levels
of pressure (range 4· 5-10 cm H 2 O) completely prevented upper airway occlusion during
sleep in each patient and allowed an entire night of uninterrupted sleep. Continuous positive
airway pressure applied in this manner provides a pneumatic splint for the nasopharyngeal
airway and is a safe, simple treatment for the obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.

Reversal of obstructive sleep apnoea by continuous positive airway pressure applied
through the nares | CiNii Research … Reversal of obstructive sleep apnoea by continuous
positive airway pressure applied through the nares …