Müller's maneuver

Müller's maneuver is a medical procedure used to evaluate the upper airway in patients with suspected sleep apnea or other sleep disorders. It was named after the German physician Heinrich Müller, who first described the maneuver in the late 19th century.

Procedure[edit | edit source]

During a Müller's maneuver, the patient is asked to inhale deeply while keeping the mouth and nose closed. This creates a negative pressure in the airway, causing any potential obstructions to become more apparent. The procedure is typically performed under the guidance of a fiberoptic bronchoscope, which allows the physician to visualize the airway during the maneuver.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Müller's maneuver is primarily used to identify the site and severity of upper airway obstruction in patients with sleep apnea. It can also be used to assess the effectiveness of treatments such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy or oral appliance therapy. However, the maneuver has been criticized for its lack of sensitivity and specificity, and it is not routinely used in the diagnosis of sleep apnea.

History[edit | edit source]

Müller's maneuver was first described by Heinrich Müller in 1892. He observed that the maneuver could cause the collapse of the upper airway in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, and suggested that it could be used as a diagnostic tool. However, it was not until the advent of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in the 1970s that the maneuver became widely used in clinical practice.