title: Postsurgical evaluation of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: two case reports.
abstract: Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) has become a widely practiced procedure for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Surgical outcome with UPPP has heretofore been assessed by investigators using the number of apneas per hour of sleep (apnea index) as the sole or primary criterion. We present two cases in which UPPP outcome was inadequately represented by the apnea index. It is suggested that the apnea/hypopnea index, extent of oxygen desaturations, degree of sleep fragmentation, level of daytime somnolence, interaction between respiratory function and sleep position and stages, and degree of respiratory strain be considered in the postsurgical evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, New York.
authors.forename: N B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Kavey
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whyte
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blitzer
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gidro-Frank
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000502:physiology; D012913:Snoring / Q000601:surgery*; D014681:Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*