Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty outcome assessment with quantitative computer-assisted videoendoscopic airway analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
Quantitative digital imaging upper airway analysis enables surgeons to assess the pre- and postoperative upper airway morphology quantitatively, objectively and accurately, and to correlate these changes in surgical parameters with improvement of obstructive sleep apnea.


OBJECTIVE
This was a prospective study using a new method of quantitative computer-assisted digital-imaging videoendoscopic upper airway analysis to quantify objectively and correlate the changes in surgical parameters with improvement of obstructive sleep apnea following uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.


METHODS
Nineteen male patients underwent uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for obstructive sleep apnea after continuous positive airway pressure trial. All had undergone pre- and postoperative digital imaging upper airway examination, Epworth scores, and polysomnographic studies. Postoperative static and dynamic changes in upper airway parameters were compared, analyzed and correlated with improvement of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) by statistical regression.


RESULTS
There were 65.12% and 64.37% improvements in the AHI and Epworth scales, respectively, after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. Retropalatal areas measured were significantly correlated with improvement of the AHI. A 1 cm2 increase in retropalatal area during Mueller's maneuver in the supine position resulted in an improvement of 32.65 in the AHI; a 1 cm increase in the transverse diameter of the retropalatal area in the erect position resulted in an improvement of 31.83 in the AHI.
Hsu
Pon Poh
PP
Division of Otolaryngology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
Tan
Alvin Kah Leong
AK
Tan
Barrie Yau Boon
BY
Gan
Eng Cern
EC
Chan
Yiong Huak
YH
Blair
Robin L
RL
Lu
Peter Kuo Sun
PK
D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014609:Uvula / Q000601:surgery*; D020535:Video-Assisted Surgery / Q000379:methods*