Hypopharyngeal Airway Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Morbidity in the Early Postoperative Period

Abstract

Objectives:

Determine if hypopharyngeal surgery for obstructive sleep apnea is associated with significant morbidity in the early postoperative period.

Methods:

Medical records review and retrospective telephone survey of patients who underwent hypopharyngeal surgery for obstructive sleep apnea between November 2012 and September 2013 at a tertiary care facility.

Results:

Twenty-two patients underwent hypopharyngeal surgery for obstructive sleep apnea. No patient experienced intraoperative complications, postoperative O₂ desaturation <90%, prolonged admission for inadequate pain control, pulmonary edema, or airway compromise requiring re-intubation. Postoperative complications included 1 episode of nasal hemorrhage, 1 infection requiring hospitalization, and 1 episode of dehydration treated with IV fluids. Twenty-five percent of patients experienced some degree of postoperative dysphonia, and 87.5% of patients experienced postoperative dysphagia. The average rating for postoperative pharyngeal pain was 3.5 by week 3 and 1.75 by week 4. Most patients described decreased snoring (93.75%), improved feeling of overall health (75%), and increased daytime energy (62.5%). All patients undergoing hypopharyngeal airway surgery were discharged within 23 hours.

Conclusions:

Hypopharyngeal surgery is a safe and well-tolerated procedure for the treatment of OSA. Our findings suggest that hypopharyngeal surgery may be performed on an outpatient basis.