Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center (EMRMC) announces that it has completed 100 procedures using the Inspire upper airway stimulation therapy. The Medical Center began doing Inspire procedures on July 20, 2021.

Inspire is a surgical solution for sleep apnea. During the outpatient procedure, a small device is implanted near a patient’s neck and chest that stimulates the hypoglossal nerve to keep the airway open during sleep. This provides an alternative to CPAP equipment and oral appliances.

Inspire therapy is most appropriate for patients who have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who have tried CPAP and have experienced difficulty tolerating it. Dr. Klark Turpen, board-certified sleep medicine physician, identifies patients who are appropriate for the procedure. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis by Drs. Jonathan Doty or Kyle Fletcher, both of whom are board-certified otolaryngologists at Ephraim McDowell Ear, Nose & Throat.

“We have been very pleased with the success of this procedure since we started using it,” said Dr. Doty. “Patients are relieved that they no longer have to deal with using a CPAP machine or oral appliances as a treatment for their sleep apnea.”