Predictors of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty success in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Objective: Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) has been described as an option for treating obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), with variable success rates. The main purpose of our study was to correlate UPPP success to craniofacial bony structure and orofacial muscles function.

Methods: Clinical variables, including body mass index (BMI), age, and preoperative apnea-hypopnea index (AHI); cephalometric measurements of the craniofacial region and hyoid bone position; and muscle function variables including clinical protocol and tongue strength measures were evaluated in 54 patients who underwent UPPP in the last 7years. The measurements were related to the success or failure of UPPP based on the results of preoperative and postoperative polysomnography (PSG).

Results: The variables BMI, preoperative AHI, and cephalometric measurements showed no influence on surgical success. The clinical muscle protocol also was similar between groups. However, the muscle strength of the anterior portion of the tongue was significantly greater in the group that showed surgical success compared to those with surgical failure.

Conclusion: OSAS is a multifactorial disease and diagnostic symptom assessments should be individualized. In addition, special attention should be given to functional muscle alterations of the airways, as they might influence the evolution of the disease.