SURGERY FOR OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP-APNEA - EFFECTS ON SLEEP, BREATHING, AND OXYGENATION

Advances in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea have evolved rapi dly over the past two decades. Nasal continuous positive airway pressu re (CPAP) devices are effective, but are neither curative nor universa lly well tolerated. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) has been reported to have widely varying success rates; many studies of this procedure do not include data about sleep quality, oxygenation, or patient satis faction. The role of nasal surgery in the treatment of obstructive sle ep apnea remains controversial. We reviewed the outcome of surgical tr eatment for obstructive sleep apnea in the hands of a single surgeon, specifically evaluating its effects on sleep and oxygenation parameter s. Overall, 12 of 15 patients (80%) had marked improvement, reflected by oximetry and patient interview. This pilot study shows that the com bined use of UPPP and nasal surgery, when indicated, for obstructive s leep apnea is an acceptable alternative in nasal CPAP-intolerant patie nts. Further studies with larger numbers are needed to further substan tiate these findings.