Management of nasopharyngeal stenosis after uvulopalatoplasty.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to evaluate the management of nasopharyngeal stenosis (NPS) with the CO(2) laser and a customized nasopharyngeal obturator.


METHODS
An 8-year retrospective study based at a tertiary care teaching hospital consisting of 18 patients with NPS after uvulopalatoplasty treated over an 8-year period with the CO(2) laser and a nasopharyngeal obturator. Patients with grade I stenosis were treated in the office and did not require a nasopharyngeal obturator. More severe cases (grades II and III) were treated in the operating room and required a nasopharyngeal obturator.


RESULTS
Eighteen patients with NPS, stages I to III, were treated with a CO(2) laser with or without a nasopharyngeal obturator with good results.


CONCLUSIONS
The repair of NPS with a CO(2) laser and a nasopharyngeal obturator in severe cases helps in restoring nasopharyngeal patency.


CONCLUSIONS
This technique provided a reliable method of correcting postuvulopalatoplasty NPS.
Krespi
Y P
YP
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, St Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital, USA. hnsg@aol.com
Kacker
A
A
D000328:Adult; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009302:Nasopharyngeal Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010158:Palatal Obturators; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000601:surgery; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014609:Uvula / Q000601:surgery*