Long-Term Results of UPPP and Coblation Channeling of the Tongue for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

To evaluate the long-term surgical outcomes of combined uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and coblation channeling of the tongue (CCT) for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The study enrolled patients with moderate-to-severe OSA who underwent treatment with UPPP plus CCT and had a minimal follow-up of 2 years. Postoperative clinical assessment including apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT) in Polysomnography (PSG), Epworth Sleep Scale (ESS) values in sleep questionnaires, and cephalometric variables were compared with the preoperative baseline data.

Thirty-six patients with complete records and follow-up were enrolled. According to the data of minimal 2 years postoperative, AHI had significantly decreased from 39.6 ± 19.8 to 18.2 ± 19 events/h (p < 0.0001), and ESS had remarkably improved from 9.6 ± 5.6 to 6.2 ± 4.8 (p < 0.0001). Morbidity of the surgery was low, and no long-term complications occurred. Superior movement of the hyoid bone was observed on postoperative cephalometry.

UPPP plus CCT provides a safe and long-term effective treatment for moderate-to-severe OSA with the advantages of minimal invasive and single-stage intervention.