ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the perioperative management of severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-three patients with severe OSAHS received uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with uvula preservation and radiofrequency tongue base reduction. All the patients were treated with automated continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for 3-7 days before operation and automated antibiotic therapy administered in the oropharynx, with 24 h ECG monitoring postoperatively. Polysomnography were carried out before and 6 months after surgery.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The preoperative apnea hypopnea index (AHI) and lowest SaO(2) (LSaO(2)) were 58.4-/+5.1/h and 0.650-/+0.059, respectively, which were 15.5-/+3.2/h and 0.864-/+0.064 at 6 months after surgery, respectively, showing significant changes after surgery (P<0.01). Dyspnea occurred in 2 cases after operation, intraoperative bleeding in 1 case, primary bleeding in 2 cases and hypertension crisis in 1 case.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Severe OSAHS patients are subject to great surgical risk. Application of auto-CPAP before operation can significantly improve the patients' tolerance of surgery and anesthesia, and reduce the surgical risks and preoperative complications.</p>