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Published on: December 6, 2016
Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients With Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer Undergoing Free Flap Reconstruction: A
Han-Song Tseng1, Wei-Shu Lai2,3, Chung-Yi Li4,5,6
1Department of Otolaryngology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Background:
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often worsens in head and neck cancer patients post-treatment. Its relationship with airway morphology after free flap reconstruction in oral/oropharyngeal cancer (OOC) remains unclear. This study longitudinally explored OSA severity and airway changes in OOC patients post-reconstruction.
Methods:
Twenty six male OOC patients underwent polysomnography and head/neck computed tomography scans before, 1 week after, and 6 months after free flap reconstruction. Airway volume/dimensions and OSA parameters were analyzed.
Results:
Upper airway volume, neck size, and total apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) significantly increased 1-week post-surgery. At 6 months, only the total AHI increase remained significant. Upper airway volume was found to have a positive influence on AHI.
Conclusion:
OSA worsened after free flap reconstruction with partial recovery by 6 months. Airway dimensions may play a different role in these patients than general OSA populations, warranting more aggressive OSA screening in this cohort.
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