Clinical Safety of PMR(Palatal Muscle Resection) In Which Performed OSAS Patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze clinical safety of PMR(Palatal Muscle Resection) in obstructive sleep apnea patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen Patients underwent only PMR were reviewed retrospectively. ESS(Epworth Sleepiness Scale) was analyzed after PMR surgery to assess surgical results. Visual Analogue Scale were reviewed to evaluate postoperative pain. Eustachian tube function test, voice analysis, and measurement of forced expiration power were done after two months of surgery. RESULTS: ESS were improved after PMR. There were little postoperative pain. There was no significant change is observed vowel sounds except /u/ nor postoperative nasalization in voice, Eustachian tube dysfunction and change of expiration power. CONCLUSION: PMR may be regarded clinically safe surgery in obstructive sleep apnea patient.

An Acoustic and Radiologic Study on Voice Change after Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many people have been concerned about the voice change after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). A number of studies reported acoustic changes after UPPP. However, there have not been any reports regarding the association of anatomic changes and acoustic results after UPPP. The purpose of this study is to analyze changes of the voice and changes in the vocal tract after UPPP and to evaluate whether the anatomical changes of vocal tract have an effect on the voice change or not. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: By using computerized speech laboratory (CSL), we analyzed fourteen UPPP cases on the formant frequencies of six vowels (/a/, /i/, /u/, /o/, /e/) and three nasal consonants (/eom/, /eoung/, /kin/). By using MR image, we analyzed the changes of vocal tract four weeks after UPPP with preoperative findings in one case. RESULTS: In acoustic analysis, the second formant frequencies of /i/ and /u/ phonation were significantly reduced postoperatively compared to those of preoperative status. In imaging study of /i/ and /u/, the soft palate were contracted along with the widening of the oropharynx and the tongue was shifted toward posterior pharyngeal wall to compensate. CONCLUSION: UPPP reduced the second formant of /i/ and /u/, which did not result in serious voice change.

Analysis of Structural Changes of the Inferior Turbinate in Patients with Deviated Nasal Septum by Using Computed Tomography / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Compensatory hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate is frequently observed in case of nasal septal deviation. In case of surgical treatment, some advocate that septoplasty must be accompanied by reduction of inferior turbinate. So, the authors analyzed the structural change of the inferior turbinate in nasal septal deviation using the CT scan. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The CT films of 154 patients who had undergone septoplasty were reviewed retrospectively. All subjects had only Cshaped septal deviation and had no abnormality. Inferior turbinate was divided equally into three portions as anterior, middle and posterior portions. The thickness of mucosa and bone of the inferior turbinate and the degree of inferior conchal bone medialization were measured. RESULTS: In the anterior and middle portion, the degree of medialization at concave side of inferior conchal bone was significantly increased compared to the convex side. In addition, the thickness of bone and mucosa at the concave side was significantly thicker than those of the convex side (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were found in the posterior portion. CONCLUSION: In the nasal septal deviation, the degree of medialization of inferior conchal bone and the thickness of bone and mucosa at the concave side were significantly greater than those of the convex side in the anterior and middle portion.