First Outpatient Bilateral Sleep Apnea

A Portland, Oregon ambulatory surgery center has completed the first bilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulation implant procedure in the Pacific Northwest in an outpatient setting. The procedure was performed by head and neck surgeon Andrew Patel, MD, at Oath Surgical's downtown Portland facility.

This milestone expands regional access to surgical treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea. The implant used is the FDA-approved Genio device by Nyxoah.

Device and Procedure Details

The Genio implant is designed for moderate to severe OSA. It is a single-incision, bilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulation therapy. The device has no implanted battery and offers full 3T MRI compatibility. It works with the body's natural bilateral airway control system.

Dr. Patel stated that patients in Oregon who struggled with CPAP had limited options and often had to travel outside the region for surgical alternatives. He called this new procedure a real step forward. It is bilateral, requires only a single incision, and has no implanted battery. Patel believes this makes it an easier conversation to have with patients who have been hesitant about surgery.

Expanding Access and Care

Performing the first case at Oath Surgical provided the right environment, according to Dr. Patel. His focus is now on building a consistent, high-quality program that centers on patient outcomes and long-term follow-up.

Oath Surgical utilizes its OathOS clinical intelligence system to support such advanced implant procedures in an outpatient setting. This system connects the patient journey from referral and scheduling through to device activation, outcomes tracking, and long-term post-operative engagement.

Oliver Keown, MD, founder and CEO of Oath Surgical, stated that bringing higher acuity care to Oregon is exactly the kind of milestone their platform was built to support. He said Oath's surgical centers are designed for advanced outpatient procedures. Dr. Patel and the team have shown that bilateral HGNS therapy can be delivered safely and efficiently outside of a hospital setting. Keown believes this is the beginning of a much broader shift in how sleep apnea care is accessed across the region.

Patients in the Pacific Northwest seeking an alternative to CPAP can now access this therapy without traveling outside the region. Dr. Patel accepts referrals from sleep medicine specialists, primary care physicians, cardiologists, and dental providers.