The Effect of UPPP in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Patients Intolerant of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment

Abstract

Recently, a consensus that nasal continuous positive airway pressure (n-CPAP) treatment is the first choice therapy for severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS). However, it is also recognized that n-CPAP is an imperfect therapy and many patients find this treatment intolerable. In this study, four severe n-CPAP intolerant OSAHS patients, with a shallow oropharyngeal space, surrounded by large uvula and enlarged tonsils recieved Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) to decrease the pressure, and then remove n-CPAP. We also encouraged the patients to lose weight. After the operation, sleep apnea hypopnea improved in all the patients, two of whom could remove n-CPAP completely and two of whom continued to use n-CPAP at a lower pressure level. UPPP is an effective treatment for patients with a shallow oropharyngeal space who are unable to tolerate n-CPAP because of its side effects.