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Best of Scientific Oral Presentations

Sleep Medicine

Session: Best of Scientific Orals 1

The Effect of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Wound Healing: Insights from a Murine Model

Sunday, October 12, 2025

1:06 PM - 1:12 PM EDT

Location: 120

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder marked by the collapse of the upper airway during sleep, which results in chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) and fragmented sleep. OSA is linked to vascular morbidities, including atherosclerosis, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and increased activation of the sympathetic nervous system.
The wound healing process is intricate and involves several stages: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Any disruption in these stages can impact the healing process.

Methods: A prospective, randomized control study included 16 mice divided into two
groups: an OSA group exposed to CIH for 8 hours daily over a period of
3 weeks, and a control group kept in room air. Two full-thickness
wounds were then created on each mouse, followed by the application of silicone splints
secured with adhesive and sutures. Histological analysis was conducted on 10 mice
after 2 weeks using H&E and Sirius Red staining. Wound measurements were taken every 2-3 days for 2 weeks
using ImageJ software. Statistical analysis was performed in Python using t-tests for cell
counts and one-way ANOVA for wound healing progression.

Results: This study found a significantly lower inflammatory response in OSA mice,
with reduced polymorphonuclear (p < 0.000001) and mononuclear cell counts (p =
0.039) compared to healthy controls. Total inflammatory cell counts were also
significantly lower in the OSA group (p < 0.000001). Additionally, OSA mice
exhibited increased fibrosis, hypertrophic fibroblasts, and aggressive hyperkeratinization.
Granulation tissue and angiogenesis were notably reduced in OSA mice, with blood
vessels clustering around fibrotic tissue rather than supporting wound healing. Wound
surface area analysis showed no significant difference in the overall healing rates
between groups (p = 0.67). However, OSA mice exhibited an initial enlargement in
wound surface area and a slower healing rate during the first week.

Conclusions: Our preliminary results support the assumption that OSA disrupts essential steps necessary for effective wound healing.

Presenting Author(s)

Dor Maayan, MD

Clinical Fellow - Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
LSU Shreveport
Shreveport, LA, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Senior Author(s)

FJ

Forsan Jahshan, MD

Attanding Physician
Tel Aviv Souraski Medical Center
Tel Aviv, Israel

Disclosure information not submitted.

Co-Author(s)

OE

Offir Ertracht, PhD

Head of Labaratory
The Galilee Medical Center
Naharia, Israel

Disclosure information not submitted.
Itzhak Braverman, MD

Head of Otolaryngology Hillel Yafe Medical Center
Hillel Yafe Medical Center
Nesher, HaZafon, Israel

Disclosure information not submitted.
DR

David Rengifo, MD

Attanding Physician - Facial Plastic
LSU Shreveport, Louisiana, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
MD

Mahmoud Darawshe, MD

Hillel Yafe Medical Center
hadera, Israel

Disclosure information not submitted.
RM

Rodrigo Martinez Monedero, MD

Assistant Professor - Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
LSUHS-Shreveport
Shreveport, Louisiana, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
SA

Shaul Atar, MD

Director of Cardiology, Galilee Medical Center, Nahariya, Full Clinical Professor at Azrieli Faculty
The Galilee Medical Center, Israel

Disclosure information not submitted.