[Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients' perioperative and long-term oxygenation status after uvulopalatopharyngealplasty]

To explore the perioperative and long-term oxygenation status after uvulopalatopharyngealplasty (UPPP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and evaluate the predictive performance of STOP-BANG questionnaire and modified Epworth sleepiness scale (mESS) scales.

Oxygen saturation was continuously monitored with pulse oximeter wristwatch for up to 72 h postoperatively in 46 patients undergoing UPPP. They were followed up after 3 years with polysomnography, STOP-BANG questionnaire and mESS scales.

Oxygen saturation significantly improved postoperatively. The mean SPO₂ was 96.6% during 1 to 4 hour after extubation, 94.9% on POD1, 95.3% on POD2 and 91.1% on pre-operation respectively. The differences were statistically significant (Z = 1.000, P < 0.01). However, there were still episodes of hypoxemia, especially during 1st postoperative night (Z = -3.601 4, P < 0.01). There was no difference (t = 1.029, P > 0.05) in mean SPO2 between pre-operation (89.72 ± 4.88)% and 3 years (88.84 ± 6.16)% after UPPP.

Although UPPP significantly improves oxygen saturation in OSA patients, hypoxemic episodes still occur in the first 24 hours after surgery, especially during the first postoperative night. UPPP does not improve long-term hypoxemia.