Functions of the uvula and Z-pharyngoplasty.

UPPP includes uvulotomy. The uvula works as the pilot for eating and swallowing. We performed an operation which left the uvula intact and opened the pharynx by Z-opening the palate, Z-pharyngoplasty (ZPP). Twenty-four patients were studied before and after ZPP. The results of the operations were satisfactory. No patients complained of symptoms after uvulectomy. As for the changes indicated by sleep monitoring, minimum SaO2 increased significantly (P = 0.0026), pulse rate decreased significantly (P = 0.0144), apnea index decreased significantly (P = 0.0392), snoring decreased (P = 0.064), and the amount of hours of sleep when SaO2 was over 95% increased (P = 0.0690) after ZPP.