Uvulopalatal flap for obstructive sleep apnea: short-term and long-term results.

OBJECTIVE

To study long-term results in patients undergoing uvulopalatal flap (UPF) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

DESIGN

Prospective, clinical trial at tertiary referral center.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A study was undertaken on 83 OSA patients with palatal obstruction based on radiography and physical findings. UPF was conducted to increase the airway space and data were analyzed.

RESULTS

Patients had a mean age of 36.5 ± 12.3 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 29.4 ± 4.3 kg/m(2) . The mean follow-up was 54.2 ± 8.9 months, with a range of 48 to 62 months. The mean baseline apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), short-term AHI, and long-term AHI were 45.6 ± 10.3, 13.4 ± 5.2, and 19.4 ± 5.1, respectively. The mean baseline lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT), short-term LSAT, and long-term LSAT were 82.6 ± 5.4%, 89.2 ± 4.8%, and 88.1 ± 3.2%, respectively. Forty-three patients (51.8%) had long-term success, and 15 patients(25.8%) had an increase in the AHI over the follow-up period such that they were no longer considered success by traditional AHI criteria. Serious complications were not encountered.

CONCLUSIONS

UPF is a safe and effective procedure that results in long-term success for OSA. However, a regular follow-up is important because some patients will relapse in the long term.