2010 Volume 69 Issue 1 Pages 38-41
Among sleep disorders of breathing (SDB), obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) sometimes indicates the need for surgical treatment. Despite the use of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), which has been mainly utilized to date, it has become clear that diet control is also necessary to prevent recurrence of the symptoms. Other recent operative methods, including laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP), radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction (RFVTR), etc., have not yet revealed their detailed outcome and prognosis. However, the combined procedures of pharyngeal surgery and nasal surgery could be valuable. In order to achieve a better outcome, three points appear to be necessary for surgical strategy for OSAS; 1) To diagnose the precise obstructive portion and select appropriate cases for the indication to improve both the pharyngeal and nasal obstruction, 2) To reduce the body weight and maintain diet control, 3) To reduce the risk factors of surgical side effects and negative social medical factors.
