Minimally Invasive Surgical Technique in Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: Palatoglossal Line

Cho, Seok Hyun; Lee, Keun Young; Chung, Jae Ho; Kim, Bum Suk; Jeong, Jin Hyeok; Kim, Kyung Rae

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty remains the most common surgical procedure performed as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. But, the authors believe that the surgical technique has some of the following limitations: a relatively low success rate, possible complications and the lack of a consensus on the palatal resection margin. In this study, we present a modified surgical technique and its clinical experiences.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
Twelve patients with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea were included in this study between September 2004 and April 2005. We divided the patients into two groups according to the resection margin of the uvula. And we defined the palatal incision margin as a palatoglossal line and tried a suture remodeling of the neopharynx.
RESULTS
Abnormal breathing cessation (apnea/hypopnea) during sleep disappeared in all patients. There was no residual snoring in 10 patients (83.3%) but 2 patients (16.7%) complained of some residual snoring. The group with less than half resection of the uvula during surgery had a neouvula formed and could maintain a naturally shaped velopharynx. These patients had low incidence of postoperative complications such as severe scar formation and globus sensation.
CONCLUSION
We recommend the palatoglossal line as an ideal incision margin for the uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and the preservation of the neouvula.