2013 Volume 26 Issue 2 Pages 211-216
Uvuloplatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) was previously the most well-known surgery for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). It was difficult to create enough space to prevent the upper airway collapse in many patients with OSAS when performing this procedure alone. Moreover the success rate was relatively low compared with a high adherence rate to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, and complications have often been reportedly caused by UPPP. This procedure is becoming less frequent. We focused on the expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty (ESP), which as reported by Woodson and his colleagues is the modification of the traditional UPPP, and has achieved a higher success rate than UPPP. ESP is a simple technique that stiffens the lateral pharyngeal walls and prevents their collapse in patients with OSA. We herein introduce this procedure and demonstrate a case, together with the clinical data, in which the OSAS symptoms were remarkably improved. We also discuss what the anatomical features are, in the presence of which this procedure could be performed.
