Cephalometric analysis in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

ABSTRACT

In this study, the distances and areas in cephalometry were measured before and after surgery in order to evaluate the preoperative predictability and usefulness of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and/or midline laser glossectomy [MLG] for the preoperative assessment and evaluation of the surgical treatment. Egyptian adult patients with disturbed respiration in sleep observed at Snoring Center in Kasr El- Aini Hospital and Saudi patients with the same problem observed at Saudi German Hospital were tested. Cephalometry revealed morphological abnormalities in the skull and the measurements of soft tissue in oropharynx provided useful anatomical data to the space of the upper airway in each patient before operation. The areas of the soft palate, the whole tongue and the lower half of the tongue were significantly enlarged and the lengths of MPH, SPL and PNS-H were longer in the apnea group than in the snoring group. In MLG patients, an increase in the area of the oral and pharyngeal cavities and a decrease in the area of the upper half of the tongue were observed