Palatopharyngoglossoplasty in the treatment of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

A new technique (palatopharyngoglossoplasty (PPGP)) has been developed for surgical treatment of patients with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). In 20 operated patients 18 reported immediate marked improvement of daytime sleepiness, alertness and vigilance during the day, and of working capacity. However, polysomnography carried out pre- and postoperatively showed that only 10 patients were "cured", defined as 50% or more reduction in apnea/hypopnea index (AHI).

Glossopexia--evaluation of a new surgical method for treating obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Uvulopalatopharyngoglossoplasty, UPPGP, is a modification of the uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, UPPP, technique, originally used for surgical treatment of the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The first method seems to be the more successful. However, polysomnography performed after UPPGP showed that about 35% of the patients still had obstructive apnea periods during sleep.

Cephalometric analysis in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: II. Soft tissue morphology.

Oropharyngeal soft tissue profiles were studied by cephalometric analysis in 25 patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) and 10 controls. The length of the soft palate was significantly higher in patients (48.0 +/- 4.

Cephalometric analysis in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. I. Skeletal morphology.

Facial skeletal morphology was studied by cephalometric analysis in 25 patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) and ten controls. The hyoid bone was more inferiorly positioned in patients (at the level of cervical vertebrae C4-C6) than in controls (C3-C4 level). The height and length of the nasal cavity was normal, while the length of the bony nasopharynx was moderately reduced.