THE EFFICACY OF PARTIAL VELOPALATIN RESEC TION IN THE OBSTRUCTIVE APNEA SYNDROME DURING SLEEP - EXPERIENCE IN 57 PATIENTS

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the result of parti al resection of the soft palate (SPR) as a treatment of the obstructiv e apnea syndrome during sleep (OASS). METHODS: Fifty-seven patients di agnosed of OASS treated with SPR were studied. The clinical and polyso mnographic results prior to surgery and after 6 months were compared. RESULTS: Prior to SPR the 57 patients had a mean index of apnea plus h ypopnea per hour of 57 (IAH) and following surgery the same was of 19. 2 (p < 0.0001). IAH improved more than 50 % in 42 patients (74 %), 30 of whom were cured (IAH less-than-or-equal-to 10). Daily hypersomnia a nd snoring disappeared in 58 % of the patients and decreased in intens ity in most of the remaining cases. The secondary effects observed fol lowing SPR were: rhinolalia, nasal fluid reflux, and oropharyngeal dis turbances, being present in 32 patients (56 %) and permanent, although slight, in only 13 (23 %). CONCLUSIONS: Soft palate resection is a go od surgical procedure for therapy of obstructive apnea during sleep, w ith only slight secondary effects.