Modified uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and coblation channeling of the tongue for obstructive sleep apnea: a multi-centre Australian trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the surgical outcomes and efficacy of modified uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (mod UPPP) and Coblation channelling of the tongue (CCT) as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).


METHODS
Adult patients with simple snoring or obstructive sleep apnea were treated with combined modified UPPP, bilateral tonsillectomy, and CCT (N = 48). Full polysomnography was performed preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. Postoperative clinical assessment, sleep questionnaires, and patient demographics including body mass index were compared to preoperative data. All polysomnograms were re-scored to AASM recommended criteria by 2 sleep professionals.


RESULTS
The preoperative AHI (median and interquartile range) of 23.1 (10.4 to 36.6) was lowered to a postoperative AHI of 5.6 (1.9 to 10.4) (p < 0.05). The Epworth Sleepiness Scale score fell from 10.5 (5.5 to 13.5) to 5.0 (3.09 to 9.5) (p < 0.05). Morbidity of the surgery was low, with no long-term complications recorded.


CONCLUSIONS
Modified UPPP combined with CCT is a highly efficacious intervention for OSA with minimal morbidity. It should be considered for individuals who fail or are intolerant of CPAP or other medical devices.
Division of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia. sgmackay@ozemail.com.au
Stuart G
SG
MacKay
A Simon
AS
Carney
Charmaine
C
Woods
Nick
N
Antic
R Doug
RD
McEvoy
Michael
M
Chia
Terry
T
Sands
Andrew
A
Jones
Jonathan
J
Hobson
Samuel
S
Robinson
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D058753:Laryngoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000379:methods; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012913:Snoring / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014059:Tongue / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014609:Uvula / Q000601:surgery