[Management of nasopharyngeal stenosis following uvulopalatopharyngoplasty].
OBJECTIVE
Severe nasopharyngeal stenosis (NPS) is a rare complication of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and very difficult to manage. This report presents our successful treatment experience.


METHODS
From Nov 1997 to Feb 2006, 6 adults patients with NPS secondary to UPPP were treated in Peking Union Hospital. Two cases was grade II stenosis, received surgery of local pharyngeal and soft palate mucosa flap rotation to enlarge nasopharyngeal airway with stenosis; For the remaining 4 cases with more severe NPS (grade III) who had received 1-3 times unsuccessful repair procedures previously, prolonged nasopharyngeal hollow obturators were used for 6 months after stenosis repair surgery.


RESULTS
With 9-48 months follow-up, All cases results were satisfactory. Nasal obstruction symptom was eliminated, NPS corrected, no velopharyngeal insufficiency complication happened. Daytime removable nasopharyngeal hollow stent obturators with palate support device is more comfortable for patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Local flap rotation to enlarge stenosis airway and prolonged use nasopharyngeal hollow obturators are reliable methods of correction NPS following UPPP.
Li
Wu-Yi
WY
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China. liwuyi_pumch@yahoo.com.cn
Chen
Xing-Ming
XM
Ni
Dao-Feng
DF
Xu
Chun-Xiao
CX
Yang
Da-Hai
DH
Huo
Hong
H
Shen
Ping
P
D000328:Adult; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009302:Nasopharyngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014609:Uvula / Q000601:surgery*