[Effects of surgical therapy of obstructive snoring on swallowing and voice quality]

The efficacy of uvulopharyngopalatoplasty (UPPP) in treating obstructive snoring has been reported from many centers. The reduction of uvula and soft palate may result in palatal incompetence. We examined 23 patients undergoing UPPP pre- and postoperatively and found a slight preoperative hypernasality in three patients. None of our patients had problems with swallowing. During the first week postoperatively, most of the patient had hypernasality and noted a nasal escape of liquids. Three to four months after surgery, three patients still had problems swallowing. All 21 patients seen during the last follow-up examination had a nasal escape of air detected by auscultation in at least one of the tests. Two patients had an audible hypernasality. Two patients could not pronounce the letters any more. More than one year after surgery, palatal incompetence was no longer detectable.