OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to assess the outcomes of obstructive
sleep apnea (OSA) surgery based on the patient perspective and polysomnogr
aphic data.
STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-six patients with severe OSA completed the 2-phase reco
nstructive protocol. A minimum of 6 months after the phase II surgery and a
fter the postoperative polysomnography, questionnaires with visual analog s
cales (VAS 0-10) were mailed to the patients to assess their perceptions of
treatment results.
RESULTS: Forty-two (75%) questionnaires were returned. The mean patient age
was 46.3 years. The mean respiratory disturbance index improved from 58.7
to 10.0. The mean lowest oxygen saturation improved from 76.3 to 87.3%. All
42 patients reported improved sleep (VAS 8.7). Although 10 patients report
ed changes in speech, the changes were insignificant, with 9 of the patient
s scoring 0 on the VAS (VAS 0.08 +/- 0.3). Five patients reported changes i
n swallowing, and their VAS scores were 0.5, 0.9, 1.0, 2.7, and 6.9 (mean V
AS 2.4 +/- 2.7). Forty patients (95%) were satisfied with their results and
would undergo the reconstruction again.
CONCLUSION: Surgical airway reconstruction for severe OSA is a highly effec
tive treatment option base on the objective as well as the subjective asses
sment.