[Morphologic and ultrastructural changes of soft palate in patients who underwent palatopharyngoplasty]

In order to clarify pathogenesis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) in patients with anatomic abnormalities of upper airways, we studied soft palate and uvula of OSAS patients by means of histological and ultrastructural techniques. 38 OSAS patients, severe and moderately severe form, underwent modified Palatopharingoplasty. We evaluated only 16 OSAS patients' soft palate and uvula and observed histological changes in all of them: submucosal edema and minor salivary glandes ipertrophy and iperplasy are present. On the contrary, ultramicroscope showed normal muscle fibers. Strie Z alterations and sarcomeres disorganization, although present, have no statistical value. Very probably, ronflement and apneas determined the observed alterations through trauma on pharingeal wall. Therefore, they are not OSAS primary cause.