[Effects of functional septoplasty in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of functional septoplasty in a group of patients with septal dysmorphy and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).


METHODS
34 patients with nasal respiratory insufficiency and chronic snore were included from 1997 to 2003. All of them were diagnosed of OSAS by nocturnal polysomnography (PSG) and of septal dysmorphy by ORL physical examination. Patients were clinically followed-up at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. PSG was also evaluated at 6 months postsurgery.


RESULTS
A significant objective reduction of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (45.8 vs 31.9), severity of OSAS, and minimal mean oxygen saturation (76.4 to 83.1) was found. Moreover, we observed a significant improvement of subjective scales of sleepiness (13 vs 6) and the patients' satisfaction degree (72% of patients improved).


CONCLUSIONS
Functional septoplasty is an effective treatment in patients with OSAS and septal dysmorphy.
Lorente
Juan
J
Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
Jurado
María José
MJ
Romero
Odile
O
Quesada
Pedro
P
Quesada
Juan L
JL
Sagalés
Teresa
T
D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000601:surgery*