[Uvulopalatoplasty with a severe form of obstructive sleep apnea: long-term results]

To assess the severity of daytime sleepiness and the level of sleep apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), as well as the possibility of their correction, in the long-term period after uvulopalatoplasty (UPP) in patients suffering from obesity and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

We retrospectively analyzed the data of the patients, who requested a consultation due to nighttime snoring, witnessed sleep apneas and daytime drowsiness. We included men and women of ages 40 to 65 (24 male, 17 female) without cardiac or lung insufficiency. Group 1 consisted of 19 patients, who underwent UPP 3-5 years prior to current consultation. Group 2 consisted of 22 patients, who underwent UPP 6-12 earlier, despite prior diagnosis of severe OSAS. We performed cardiorespiratory sleep monitoring, additionally patients completed the Epworth scale and sleep quality scale. Patients were re-interviewed 2 months after initiation of CPAP therapy and or intraoral device treatment.

Group 1 (n=19) displayed obesity (Body Mass Index 34.2±6.1 kg/m²), severe OSAS (AHI 55.2±18.5), high level of daytime drowsiness (Epworth score 18.7±6.3) and low sleep quality (13.0±6.8 sleep quality score). Group 2 (n=22) displayed reduction in AHI level - significant statistically, but not clinically without changes in daytime drowsiness and sleep quality, which were improved in 29 cases out of 41 with the help of CPAP-therapy (18 cases) or intraoral fixation devices (11 cases).

UPP does not exert a clinically significant affect the severity of sleep disturbance in patients with obesity and severe OSAS. Night sleep study is essential before making a decision about UPP. Clinical state correction of patients in the long-term period of UPP is possible with the help of CPAP therapy or intraoral fixation devices.