Patient selection and surgical results in obstructive sleep apnea

In recent years, therapeutic methods have been effective in the management of snoring and sleep apnea. Successful results have been possible through conservative and surgical approaches when the nature and site of obstruction is ascertained by careful investigation. Sagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the upper respiratory tract has been the most valuable diagnostic tool in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. This has made it possible to measure the dimensions and distance of the hard and soft palate and tongue base to the posterior pharyngeal wall. Surgery is only indicated when a site of obstruction can be completely determined. In this study, surgical approaches and results obtained in 50 patients after surgery for sleep apnea are presented. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) had a higher success rate in patients with obstruction at the level of the soft palate, but this rate decreased when it was associated with hypopharyngeal obstruction or when there was hypopharyngeal obstruction alone. UPPP was found to be beneficial in patients with central apnea. Nasal pathologies also played an important role in sleep apnea. Better results were obtained when UPPP was performed in patients who were young, not obese and an apnea-hypopnea index was below 40. Some unusual pathologies included lingual tonsil hypertrophy in the adult, sublingual dermoid cysts and angioma of soft palate and were found to be the cause of OSA. After surgical excision of these pathologies, apneic periods disappeared.