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Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea by uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
Author(s) -
Dickson R. I.,
Blokmanis A.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-198709000-00011
Subject(s) - uvulopalatopharyngoplasty , obstructive sleep apnea , medicine , sleep (system call) , sleep apnea , apnea , anesthesia , polysomnography , computer science , operating system
Although uvulopalatopharyngoplasty has been proposed as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, there is limited objective data concerning its efficacy. We have examined 40 patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea before and 3 months following uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. A standardized questionnaire and detailed overnight sleep study were performed before and after surgery. In addition, 15 patients were retested 1 year postoperatively. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty resulted in a statistically significant reduction in symptoms, blood pressure, apnea index, and total apneic time. There was no significant change in patient weight or sleep gas exchange. Seventy‐seven percent had a reduction in apnea index of greater than 50%, which is better than other reported series using a more conservative approach. Our more aggressive surgical method will be shown in detail. The 1‐year follow‐up studies revealed the results were maintained or slightly improved over time.