Soft palatal webbing flap palatopharyngoplasty for both soft palatal and oropharyngeal lateral wall collapse in the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea: a new innovative technique without tonsillectomy.

BACKGROUND: The soft palate and the lateral pharyngeal walls have been known to contribute to the collapse of the upper airway in many patients with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). To our knowledge, there are few surgeries that specifically reshape the soft palate and create enough tension in the lateral pharyngeal wall in the same operation. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of a new technique in the treatment of snoring and OSA.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty eight adults with a body mass index of less than 30 kg/m(2) with Friedman type 2 upper airway with significant soft palatal webbing and lateral pharyngeal wall collapse were selected for the study with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months.

RESULTS: The preoperative to postoperative apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and lowest O2 saturation were statistically improved in all patients. Postoperative endoscopic findings showed significant improvement in soft palatal and lateral pharyngeal wall collapse.

CONCLUSION: Soft palatal webbing flap palatopharyngoplasty provided objective clinical improvement of OSA in adults with soft palatal and lateral pharyngeal wall collapse and has the potential to serve as an effective alternative for these cases.