Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea

ABSTRACT

Obstructive sleep apnoea [OSA] is a troublesome disease with a risk of long term complications. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty [UPPP] is a useful surgical technique provided the site of obstruction is at the soft palate level. To assess the efficacy of this operative procedure. DESIGN: Case study. PERIOD From 1990-1996. SETTING: ENT Department of Allied Hospital Faisalabad. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 15 patients admitted from outpatient department with symptoms of OSA and radiological confirmation of obstruction at soft palate level are included in this study. Apart from routine investigations ECG, X-ray of neck soft tissue lateral view, blood gases and Muller maneuver were done in all cases. OPERATIVE PROCEDURE It includes standard tonsillectomy and removal of 1 cm of soft palate, uvula, anterior and posterior pillars and stitching them together to increase the oropharyngeal space. Majority of patients were between 21-40, all were males. Apnoea attack during sleep, excessive day time somnolence, excessive snoring and obesity were the main symptoms. Majority of the patients were satisfied with the result of operation. There were no longterm complications. Success of surgical procedure depends on patient selection and good operative technique. Our results compare favourably with other published series