title: Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: evaluation of postoperative complications, sequelae, and results.
abstract: A study of 71 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was performed to evaluate the effectiveness, complications, and late sequelae of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. Postoperative immediate complications were of minor importance. In 96% of the patients, the snoring was improved; it was completely resolved in 48%. The postoperative apnea index remained pathologic in all patients who underwent postoperative polysomnography, although mild improvement was noted. Seventy-four percent of our patients felt a subjective postoperative improvement which was not always confirmed by the polysomnographic examination. A record of improvement was obtained in 64% of the operated patients. Our results establish the beneficial effect of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, which is the recommended surgical procedure for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT-Head and Neck Surgery, Golda Medical Center, Hasharon Hospital, Petach-Tiqwa, Israel.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zohar
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Finkelstein
authors.forename: Y P
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Talmi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bar-Ilan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000503:physiopathology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012890:Sleep; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012913:Snoring; D013060:Speech; D014609:Uvula / Q000601:surgery*