Sleep apnea: morbidity and mortality of surgical treatment

We have analyzed the complications in 132 patients who had surgical treatment of sleep apnea or excessive snoring. In this series there were 34 (26%) complications and two patients (1.5%) died. Complications related to uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in 126 patients included rhinolalia (2%) and oropharyngeal hemorrhage (6%). In the 41 patients who had tracheostomy, complications included hemorrhage from tracheostomy (5%), tracheomalacia (5%), peristomal infection (15%), tracheostomy tube intolerance (Montgomery tube 100%, Shiley tube 7%), pneumonia (2%), hypoxia necessitating emergency tracheotomy (2%), and other perioperative complications.