Abstract
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is one of surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
We mesured nasal respiratory resistance and oral respiratory resistance before and after UPPP to estimate the physiological meaning of the surgical therapy. Twelve patients who were diagnosed as having obstructive sleep apnea by all-night sleep test were chosen in this study.
Nasal respiratory resistance and oral respiratory resistance were measured in sitting and supine position before and after surgery using a Microrhinograph and an MRI.
Nasal and oral respiratory resistance decreased after UPPP.
Upper respiratory resistance also deceased after UPPP performed postoperatively in supine position.
Therefore, UPPP is thought to improve oral respi-ratory airflow as well.
The effect of UPPP is achieved by eliminating the obstruction at the soft palate, especially in spine position.
