Multiple Level Pharyngeal Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

PP Hsu, RH Brett
Correspondence: Dr Hsu Pon Poh

ABSTRACT
The aim of the study is to evaluate the results of multiple level pharyngeal surgery in patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea in Changi General Hospital, Singapore. 13 patients who failed non-surgical treatment underwent surgery which includes uvulopharyngopalatoplasty, genioglossal advancement and modified hyoid myotomy and suspension. Epworth sleepiness scale, Cephalometric analysis and Sleep study were performed pre- and post-operatively to evaluate the results. 76.9% of the patients achieved more than 50% reduction in AHI with post-operative AHI of less than 20. Cephalometric analysis showed an average of 5.2 mm increase in posterior airway space. All patients achieved improvement in Epworth sleepiness scale with an average improvement of 11.8 points. The mean follow-up period of the 13 patients is 12.6 months. Our preliminary results suggest that multiple level pharyngeal surgery is an effective option in the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea.

Keywords: Obstructive sleep apnoea , multiple level pharyngeal surgery
Singapore Med J 2001; 42(4): 160-164