[Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in 70 cases].

OBJECTIVE

To elevate the effect of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and minimize the postoperative complications.

METHOD: The data of 70 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome diagnosed with polysomnography were analyzed.

RESULT: 15 cases (21%) reported unchanged snoring and apnea and hyponea index. 55 cases improved after UPPP for at least 6 months. The complications included hypertensive crisis (2 cases), respiratory embarrassment (4 cases) in period of paretic UPPP. After UPPP, The complications included local hemorrhage (1 case), wound dehiscence (2 cases), temporal velopalatal insufficiency (9 cases), one had suffocation after extraction of endotracheal tube.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that the strategies of improving the effect and avoiding the complications include: Excision of the lateral pharyngeal wall in retropalatal region and fat tissue in soft palate. Protection of palatosalpingeus and palatostaphylinus. Part preservation of uvula. Confirmation of the obstructive region. Choice of the anesthesia and preventive tracheotomy. Modified tracheotomy were safe and convenient when exchanging trachea canula.