Abstract
The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the effectivity of several surgical procedures for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS): bilateral tonsillectomy, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), uvulopalatopharyngoplasty combined with radiofrequency induced thermotherapy (RFITT) of the base of the tongue and UPPP + RFITT of the base of the tongue with septoplasty. The study included 133 patients, who underwent one-time surgical procedure.
Basic criteria of success were changes in apnea-hypopnea index measured by whole night polygraphy before and 6 months after the surgery. Also the subjective benefit for the patient and the number of complications were measured.
Based on previous criteria overall success of surgical treatment was 51%, patients with mild degree of OSAS achieved slightly better results. In comparison of different surgical methods the effectivity was 45-71% with better results of multilevel surgery than UPPP alone. 84% of patients described decrease of subjective disorders.
Complication of surgery appeared at 4 patients.