Combination of CO2 laser-assisted uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and nasal cavity expansion enhances treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.

This study aimed to investigate the methods, effects, and application value of a combination of CO2 laser-assisted uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and selective nasal cavity expansion for the treatment of multiplanar narrowing-induced obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Ninety-three patients with OSAHS and multiplanar stenosis were treated with CO2 laser-assisted modified UPPP and selective surgical expansion of the nasal cavity, with 12 completing the operation in stages. Six months after the operation, 23 patients (24.7%) were effectively cured, 52 (55.9%) had excellent efficacy, and 18 (19.4%) were cured, and the total efficacy was 100%. One year after the surgery, the surgical outcomes of 65 patients were reviewed, and the surgeries were ineffective in four (6.2%), effective in 14 (21.5%), very effective in 36 (55.4%), and curative in 11 (16.9%), and the total efficacy was 93.8%. Another 93 cases were treated with the traditional UPPP method only. At the six-month postoperative review, 18 (19.4%) were effectively cured, 30 (32.3%) had excellent efficacy, and 10 (10.8%) were cured, while the surgery was ineffective in 35 (37.6%). The total efficacy was 62.4%. One year after the surgery, the surgical outcomes of 75 patients were reviewed, and the surgeries were ineffective in 29 (38.7%), effective in 14 (18.7%), very effective in 24 (32.0%), and curative in eight (10.7%), and the total efficacy was 61.3%. Compared to the traditional operative methods, the treatment with one operation involving CO2-laser-assisted UPPP and selective nasal cavity expansion was thoroughly effective on multiple stenosis sites, including nasal, nasopharyngeal, and oropharyngeal airways. However, potential complications must be carefully avoided.