THE FUNCTIONAL PALATORRHAPHY IN THE TREATMENT OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP-APNEA

We have developed a new operation for the surgical treatment of obstru ctive sleep apnoea, which we called functional palatorrhaphy. This pre serves the posterior border of the soft palate and allows a controlled repair of the aponeurosis of the soft palate muscle. We combine the p alatorrhaphy with a standard or a modified chin osteotomy, with advanc ement of the base of tongue. In our first five treated and re-evaluate d patients with severe obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, who did not respond to conservative treatment, the operation was successful. All p atients but one were considerably improved or cured of their symptoms.