Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for obstructive sleep-related breathing disorders: one-year follow up

The effectiveness of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty was evaluated in 28 patients (25 men and three women; mean age 47.6 years) with obstructive sleep apnea by comparing preoperative daytime polysomnography with those carried out 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. The mean apnea plus hypopnea index (AHI) in the supine position decreased from 51.0/h to 23.0/h 6 months postoperatively and 57.1% of patients showed a 50% or more reduction of AHI. By changing the sleep position from supine to lateral, 71.4% of the 28 patients indicated a 50% or more reduction in AHI before surgery, which increased to 92.3% of 26 patients 6 months postoperatively. The positive results of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty were maintained at least until 1 year after surgery.