Updated Palate Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Initially described in 1981, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty was the first surgical procedure specially designed at the palatal level for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). To date, palatal surgery remains the most commonly used surgery for OSA. The advancement of this surgery over the past 30 years has been a process of evolution in concepts, examination, and technique to increase safety and effectiveness in the treatment of OSA. Concept changes have emerged in the disease etiology, purpose of surgery, treatment priorities, staging of operations, integration therapy, and surgical endpoints. Drug-induced sleep examination has become the mainstream for forming a surgical plan. The surgical technique has tended toward the functional expansion and stabilization of airway tissue instead of excision. Here, drug-induced sleep computed tomography is introduced. In addition, palatal surgery is further divided into palatoplasty and pharyngoplasty for individual clinical application.