title: [Effectiveness of combined surgery for treating severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the efficiency of a comprehensive surgical approach of genioglossus advancement and hyoid suspension (GAHM) plus uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) for treating severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and to evaluate related factors on surgery outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen patients with severe OSAHS (apnea hypopnea index, AHI > 40/h) confirmed with polysomnography received genioglossus advancement and hyoid suspension plus uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. The obstruction in both the oropharynx and the hypopharynx were evaluated by preoperative physical examination, fiberoptic pharyngolaryngoscopy, cephalometry, and computed tomography of the upper airway. The follow up was at least 6 months postoperatively. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare the preoperative and postoperative results by SPSS 11.0 for windows. The Mann-Whitney test was used to analyze the difference between responders and nonresponders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The follow up time ranges from 6 to 24 months, there were statistically significance in all but body mass index (BMI) between preoperative and postoperative measurements. Mean AHI was reduced from preoperative (x +/- s, 63.8 +/- 16.3)/h to postoperative (23.6 +/- 19.5)/h, lowest mean oxygen saturation increased from 0.72 +/- 0.07 to 0.81 +/- 0.13(x +/- s). According to criterion at home, the 6-month rate of responder is 83%, if AHI <20/h and decreased by at least 50% as success, the rate of success is 67%. The age, posterior airway space (PAS) and percentage of time with oxyhemoglobin saturation below 0.90 (CT90) were (39.1 +/- 7.4) years, (8.3 +/- 0.9) mm, (18.5 +/- 10.9)% in responder, while (52.5 +/- 9.4) years, (6.8 +/- 1.3) mm, (37.7 +/- 23.6) % in nonresponder, and there are statistically significant between responder and nonresponder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GAHM plus UPPP is effective surgical approach for patients with severe OSAHS who suffer from oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal obstruction. Age, PAS and CT90 were possible affective factors on surgical outcomes.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Affiliated Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China.
authors: Hong-liang
authors: HL
authors: Yi
authors: Shan-kai
authors: SK
authors: Yin
authors: Wen-ying
authors: WY
authors: Lu
authors: Hong-min
authors: HM
authors: Wu
authors: Jian
authors: J
authors: Guan
authors: Zhen-yu
authors: ZY
authors: Cao
authors: Ting
authors: T
authors: Chen