Uvulopalatoplasty with a severe form of obstructive sleep apnea: Long-term results

Objective. To assess the severity of daytime sleepiness and the level of sleep apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), as well as the possibility of their correction, in the long-term period after uvulopalatoplasty (UPP) in patients suffering from obesity and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Material and methods. We retrospectively analyzed the data of the patients, who requested a consultation due to nighttime snor-ing, witnessed sleep apneas and daytime drowsiness. We included men and women of ages 40 to 65 (24 male, 17 female) without cardiac or lung insufficiency. Group 1 consisted of 19 patients, who underwent UPP 3-5 years prior to current consultation. Group 2 consisted of 22 patients, who underwent UPP 6-12 earlier, despite prior diagnosis of severe OSAS. We performed car-diorespiratory sleep monitoring, additionally patients completed the Epworth scale and sleep quality scale. Patients were re-inter-viewed 2 months after initiation of CPAP therapy and or intraoral device treatment. Results. Group 1 (n=19) displayed obesity (Body Mass Index 34.2±6.1 kg/m2), severe OSAS (AHI 55.2±18.5), high level of daytime drowsiness (Epworth score 18.7±6.3) and low sleep quality (13.0±6.8 sleep quality score). Group 2 (n=22) displayed reduction in AHI level — significant statistically, but not clinically without changes in daytime drowsiness and sleep quality, which were improved in 29 cases out of 41 with the help of CPAP-therapy (18 cases) or intraoral fixation devices (11 cases). Conclusion. UPP does not exert a clinically significant affect the severity of sleep disturbance in patients with obesity and severe OSAS. Night sleep study is essential before making a decision about UPP. Clinical state correction of patients in the long-term period of UPP is possible with the help of CPAP therapy or intraoral fixation devices. © 2021, Media Sphera Publishing Group. All rights reserved.