Abstract
Objectives
To retrospectively investigate the outcomes of Z-palatopharyngoplasty (ZPPP) combined with radiofrequency (RF) surgery for the treatment of moderate/severe obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).
Methods
43 patients with moderate/severe OSAHS who failed CPAP therapy and then underwent ZPPP combined with RF tongue base reduction were enrolled in this study. The subjective symptoms and objective PSG parameters were collected preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Statistical analysis was determined by paired t-test.
Results
2 females and 41 males (mean, 39 years) had a minimum follow-up of 6 months and complete data available for analysis. None of the patients had perioperative or postoperative complications. No long-term velopharyngeal insufficiency was encountered. The classical success rate was 60.5% (26/43). 6 months after the treatment, the Epworth sleepiness scale changed from 12.8 ± 5.1 to 10.0 ± 4.3 (P = 0.002). The apnea/hypopnea index (/hr.), lowest oxygen saturation (%), and bedpartner's snoring visual analog scale (0–10) changed from 51.5 ± 25.4 to 23.4 ± 24.7, 75.5 ± 10.4 to 82.1 ± 10.9, 8.4 ± 1.6 to 2.9 ± 1.6, respectively (all p<0.0001).
Conclusions
This study shows the significant benefits of ZPPP combined with RF surgery in moderate/severe OSAHS patients.
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