title: Effects of obstructive sleep apnea surgery on middle ear function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effect of Z-palatopharyngoplasty plus radiofrequency of the base of the tongue on middle ear function.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of a prospective data set at a tertiary care center.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-affiliated medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population included 47 patients (42 men and 5 women; mean age, 40.8 years) who underwent Z-palatopharyngoplasty plus radiofrequency of the base of the tongue for obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome. All patients had healthy eardrums and no previous history of chronic ear disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pure-tone audiometric and tympanometric assessments were performed preoperatively and at 3 days, 7 days, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. Levels of baseline and postoperative middle ear pressure were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve patients (26%) reported otologic concerns, such as ear pressure and/or otalgia, within 1 week postoperatively. No permanent otologic discomfort occurred. A trend toward reduced middle ear pressure was noted in this study. The decrease in middle ear pressure became apparent on day 3. However, mean pressure changes were no longer significantly different than preoperative values by 1 week after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that Z-palatopharyngoplasty plus radiofrequency of the base of the tongue for obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome induces changes in middle ear function. However, the changes were temporary and not significant after 3 months of follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Sleep Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsin-Ching
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: Hsueh-Wen
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chi-Hsin
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Tanya M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Pulver
authors.forename: Yung-Che
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005064:Eustachian Tube; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000601:surgery*; D014059:Tongue / Q000601:surgery