Geniotubercle advancement with a uvulopalatal flap and its effect on swallow function in obstructive sleep apnea.

Objectives/hypothesis: Evaluate swallowing characteristics before and after geniotubercle advancement (GTA) with a uvulopalatal flap (UPF).

Study Design: Prospective case control series in an academic military practice.

Methods: Fourteen patients with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) >10 scheduled for GTA were enrolled consecutively, eight of whom completed all aspects of the study for evaluation. Video fluoroscopic swallow study was performed preoperatively and 4 months postoperatively. National Institute of Health freeware ImageJ64 software was used to measure hyolaryngeal elevation and displacement. Video recordings assessed vallecular pooling, aspiration, and bolus movement. Studies were reviewed by a speech pathologist and an otolaryngologist.

Results: Preoperatively, the mean AHI was 48.3 ± 48.45 events per hour, with a median of 48.5 (range, 12.4-76). Postoperatively the mean AHI was 11.6 ± 10.7 events per hour, with a median of 10.75 (range, 3.8-29) (P = .003). There was no reported pre- or postoperative dysphagia or aspiration. No radiographic evidence of silent aspiration was seen. Hyolaryngeal movements were measured as a percentage of C2-C4 reference distance. The superior elevations were pre- and postoperatively 40% and 37% (P = .85), anterior displacement changes 18.9% and 18.8% (P = .23), and total motion 49% and 42% (P = .26), respectively.

Conclusions: GTA with UPF surgery did not significantly affect the hyolaryngeal function of patients.