[Voice quality evaluation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome treated with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)].

Material And Methods: The evaluation of voice quality of 22 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), who underwent uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), was performed. The voice quality was assessed before the operation, and 1 month and 6-months after the procedure. The grade of dysphonia was determined on a six-grade dysphonia scale according to the Union of European Phoniatricians. Maximum phonation time (MPT) was analyzed. The acoustic examination of voice was performed determining fundamental frequency (F0) value and shimmer, jitter and NHR acoustic parameters. Formants analysis of voice was made estimating the level of F1, F2, F3 and F4 formants.

Results: Registered hearing dysphonia directly after the surgery was transient. The surgery did not significantly change F0 and jitter parameters that decrease the grade intensification of dysphonia. The reduction of maximum phonation time, changes in jitter and NHR acoustic parameters as well as the reduction of F3 and F4 formants confirmed the occurrence of open nasality directly after UPPP.

Conclusion: Registered voice quality and timbre disturbance after UPPP were periodic.