[Clinical effects of surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome]

Aim of this study was to estimate the efficiency of surgical interventions in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS). Inclusion criteria for treatment were: presence of anatomical abnormalities within upper airways, a will to undergo surgical procedure and no medical contraindication for this treatment. Study group consisted of 43 men at age 42.8 +/- 6.8 year with mean pretreatment value of AHI: 49.5 +/- 21.5. Nasal surgery was performed in 26 cases interventions improving patency of nose were performed, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in 17 and in two the tonsillectomy. Diagnosis of OSAS was made on the basis of typical complains and symptoms and results of nocturnal polysomnography. During follow-up, subjective improvement was reported by 35 (81%) of patients. Polysomnography revealed a significant decrease of AHI to below 15 in 10 (23%) cases; a lowering over 50% of AHI was obtained in 6 (14%) cases: in another 7 (16%) an increase in post-surgery AHI value was noticed. Efficiency of each intervention is presented as follows: tonsillectomy: 100%, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: 41% and nasal surgery: 4.2%. Deterioration of OSAS in 7 cases was most probably due to more sleep on back during the follow-up.