[Application of folded soft palate plasty to obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of the modified (Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, UPPP) where uvula is reserved completely and the soft palate is folded in the operation.

METHODS

36 patients with the obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) (30 men, 6 women) underwent operation. The uvula and the muscles of the soft palate were reserved completely, and the soft palate was folded during the operation.

RESULTS

31 patients (86.1%) reported improvement of snoring and daytime somnolence. 30 patients (83.33%) showed a decrease of at least 50% in the apnea and hypopnea indices (AHI). No velopalatal insufficiency occurred.

CONCLUSION

The modified UPPP not only enlarges pharyngeal cavity, but also avoids the postoperative complications. The modified UPPP could be better than the traditional operation.