[A study of modified lateral pharyngoplasty for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome: primary outcomes analysis].

Objective: To describe a modified lateral pharyngoplasty with partial transsection of levator veli palatine muscle in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and report the primary outcomes.

Method: Retrospective review was performed in sixty patients with OSAHS. All the patients underwent modified surgical procedures, including partial transsection of levator veli palatine muscle and high soft palatoplasty.

Result: The patients with a reduction of the AHI at least 50% were 6 (6/60, 10%). The patients with a reduction of the AHI at least 50% and a postoperative AHI < 20 were 44 (44/60, 73.3%). The patients with a postoperative AHI < 5 were 10 (10/60, 16.7%). Postoperative complications were postoperative bleeding in two cases (3.3%) and short-term velopharyngeal insufficiency in 10 cases (16.7%).

Conclusion: Lateral pharyngoplasty with partial transsection of levator veli palatine muscle provides a safe and effective procedure for selected OSAHS patients with oropharyngeal collapse as the main site.