Functions of the uvula and Z-pharyngoplasty

UPPP includes uvulotomy. The uvula works as the pilot for eating and swallo wing. We performed an operation which left the uvula intact and opened the pharynx by Z-opening the palate, Z-pharyngoplasty (ZPP). Twenty-four patien ts were studied before and alter ZPP. The results of the operations were sa tisfactory. No patients complained of symptoms after uvulectomy. As for the changes indicated by sleep monitoring, minimum SaO(2) increased significan tly (P=0.0026), pulse rate decreased significantly (P=0.0144), apnea index decreased significantly (P=0.0392), snoring decreased (P=0.064), and the am ount of hours of sleep when SaO(2) was over 95% increased (P = 0.0690) afte r ZPP.