SLEEP NASENDOSCOPY - WHAT BENEFIT TO THE MANAGEMENT OF SNORERS

It has been proposed that sleep nasendoscopy (SN) will improve the suc cess rate of the uvulopalatopharyngoplasty operation by identifying th ose patients with palatal snoring. The aim of this study was to test t he efficacy of SN in the management of snorers who do not have obstruc tive sleep apnoea. This study compared a group of 26 snorers managed w ithout SN (group A) to a group of 27 snorers managed with SN (group B) . The post-operative results of group A were 61 per cent cured, 27 per cent better and 8 per cent unchanged. Group B results were 76 per cen t cured, 19 per cent better and 5 per cent unchanged. However, if pati ents with only palatal snoring had surgery, the results for group B wo uld have been 94 per cent cured, 6 per cent better and 0 per cent unch anged (95 per cent C.I. of difference +0.14, +0.54, p = 0.017). The re sults confirm the predictive power of SN in identifying success follow ing uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. A simple grading system is suggested to aid in treatment planning. Patients are divided into three categories on SN: palatal snorers, mixed snorers and non-palatal (tongue base) s norers. It is proposed that uvulopalatopharyngoplasty may cure palatal snorers but mixed snorers will need additional therapies to eliminate their snoring although uvulopalatopharyngoplasty may improve the symp toms.