Zetapalatopharyngoplasty in treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: a 10-year retrospective study

To evaluate the efficiency of the Zetapalatopharyngoplasty (ZPFP) technique for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

This retrospective study included 36 adult patients treated with ZPFP between 2012 and 2023. Clinical, polysomnographic data, and subjective assessments using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index (SAQLI) were analyzed. Surgical success was defined as a ≥50% reduction in the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) or a postoperative AHI <20. The mean follow-up duration was approximately 40-months.

The mean AHI decreased from 34.22 to 19.28 events/hour (p = 0.009), while desaturation time dropped from 51.09 to 17.71 min (p < 0.001). ESS scores improved from 12.36 to 6.25 (p = 0.002), indicating reduced daytime sleepiness. According to the SAQLI, 97% of patients experienced moderate to significant improvements in quality of life. Early complications included tonsillar bleeding (2.8%) and dysphagia (5.6%), while late complications involved pharyngeal reflux (8.3%) and voice changes (8.3%). Nosevere adverse events occurred.

ZPFP demonstrated favorable clinical and polysomnographic outcomes, offering a safe and effective surgical alternative for CPAP-intolerant OSA patients. Future prospective studies should assess its long-term effectiveness in reducing cardiovascular risks associated with untreated OSA.