Evolution of soft palate surgery techniques for obstructive sleep apnea patients: A comparative study for single-level palatal surgeries.

Objectives: To compare the results of tissue preservation techniques of soft palate surgeries including expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty (ESP) and barbed reposition pharyngoplasty (BRP) for patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) with the traditional uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP).

Design: Interventional comparative study.

Setting: Morgagni-Pierantoni Hospital.

Evaluation of the effect of cigarette smoking on the olfactory neuroepithelium of New Zealand white rabbit, using scanning electron microscope.

To detect ultra-structural changes of Rabbit's olfactory neuro-epithelium using scanning electron microscope after exposure to cigarette smoking. Sixty six rabbits (Pathogen free New Zealand white rabbits weighing 1-1.5 kg included in the study were randomly assigned into one of three groups: control group did not expose to cigarette smoking, study group 1 was exposed to cigarette smoking for 3 months and study group 2 was exposed to cigarette smoking 3 months and then stopped for 2 months.