[Uvulo-palatopharyngioplasty: indication, technique and results in relation to ronchopathy and sleep apnea syndrome].

56 patients with habitual snoring (n = 43) or with complicated snoring accompanied by sleep apnea syndrome (n = 13) under went uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. The patients were observed for a period of 2 to 84 months (average: 20,8 months). Postoperatively, 80 % showed a disappearance or great reduction of snoring intensity. Other symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome such as apneas, tiredness during the day and deterioration of sleep quality also improved markedly. In ten out of 13 patients with a demonstrated sleep apnea syndrome, the apneas disappeared or became noticeably reduced (in seven patients shown by means of a polysomnographic check-up). Two patients developed velopharyngeal stenosis, which was subsequently corrected. Other operative side effects were temporary (from days to weeks) and only minor (transient speaking problems, nasal regurgitation, rhinopharyngitis sicca, taste disturbances).