Abstract
It is important to identify the precise location of the obstruction in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in order to select the most appropriate surgical procedures to treat it.
Eight adult OSAS patients were chosen for this study. Nasendoscopy was performed during a sleep study (drug-induced sleep) to identify the precise location of the obstruction. All-night PSG was performed to evaluate the sleep breathing disorder.Intrapalatine resection (IPR) was performed. Mean Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) significantly decreased from 45.93 ± 16.02 times/hour before surgery to 15.27±10.81 times/hour (p<0.01) after surgery. The rate of improvement of AHI after the operation was 66.75%, and % stage 3+4 increased significantly, from 2.09±2.24% to 5.14±3.60% (p< 0.05). Mean SaO2 decreased from 93.2 ± 3.4% to 94.4 ± 1.8%, and %90 < SaO2 decreased from 17.2 ± 14.9% to 5.8 ± 9.9%. Mean MSLT increased from 403.50±153.90 sec to 569.71±236.63 sec. There was no statistical difference between the preoperative and postoperative mean SaO2, %90 <SaO2, or mean MSLT values.
We conclude that IPR is a useful method of treating OSAS when the examination indicates that the obstruction is caused by soft palate.
