Abstract
Objective: Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is the commonly performed surgical procedure for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The efficacy of this procedure has not been clearly established. Our aim was to assess long-term effects of UPPP for OSAS and the impact of body weight for outcome of UPPP.
Method: We report the results of routine pre-/postoperative OSA-related assessments in patients undergoing UPPP from January 1, 2003 to June 30, 2011. All participants received overnight polysomnography (PSG) and questionnaires regarding daytime sleepiness, snoring severity, and sleep quality before and after the treatment.
Results: Fifty patients completed the study. Forty-two (80%) were male subjects. The average age was 30.7 years. The success of UPPP was defined as AHI reduction more than 50% and post-op AHI <20. The success rate for UPPP was decreased with time (<0.5 year: 81.8%; 0.5-1 year: 44.4%; 1-2 years: 33.3%; 2-3 years: 33.3%; 3-5 years: 42.9%; >5 years: 40.0%). There were 27 patients with body weight reduction after UPPP. In the group of patients with body weight increase after UPPP, snoring index was increasing (P = .0080), AHI was increasing (P = .0512), and ESS was increasing (P = .0182) with longer follow-up period.
Conclusion: Sleep apnea could be resolved for most patients in 6 months after UPPP but recurred with longer post-op period. Body weight change may be an important factor for recurrence. For OSA patients with body weight increase after UPPP, the recurrence rate was higher than patients with body weight reduction.
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