Abstract
Objective: 1) Discuss the theory of multilevel sleep surgery for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) management. 2) Evaluate the outcomes of lateral pharyngoplasty and midline glossectomy.
Method: Retrospective chart review of adult patients with polysomnographic evidence of OSA treated at a tertiary care center with multilevel surgery involving lateral pharyngoplasty and midline glossectomy between 2009 and 2010. Outcome measures included change in preoperative and postoperative AHI, RDI, and oxygen nadir. Statistical analysis performed using Wilcoxon rank test.
Results: Thirty-three patients were identified that met inclusion criteria. The mean preoperative BMI was 30.4, and postoperative BMI was 29.1 (P = .04). The mean decrease in AHI was 12.5 from 32.7 to 20.2 (P = .027). The mean decrease in RDI was 16.4 from 37.2 to 20.7 (P = .17). The mean improvement in oxygen nadir was 13% from 63.5 to 76.8 (P = .09).
Conclusion: Multilevel sleep surgery results in a statistically significant improvement in polysomnographic metrics, such as AHI and RDI, for obstructive sleep apnea.
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