ARZUBETÜL DURAN ALİ VEFA YÜCETÜRK
Anatolian Current Medical Journal - 2024;6(3):215-224
Aims: This study aims to evaluate late-term postoperative anatomical, radiological, and polysomnographic study findings after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty surgery and describe the relationships between these findings. Methods: This cross-sectional, retrospective study had a population of all cases undergone mentioned surgery in the department of otolaryngology at a university hospital between January 2005 and December 2008. Demographic variables (age, gender, time after the surgery), body mass indexes, Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores, anatomic variables (routine and non-routine examination findings and measurements), radiographic variables (computed tomography scans data), polysomnographic variables (Apnea-hypopnea indexes, mean and minimum oxygen saturations) were assessed. The results were reported as odds ratio (95% CI) and p<0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: The study sample was composed of 21 cases with available data. There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of any of the study variables between subjects in different Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome severity groups other than the higher age of the mild group. Severity categories were merged and compared, such as having the syndrome or having a moderate/severe syndrome. A resected uvula was more common in the moderate plus severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (apnea-hypopnea index>15) group (8 vs 2, p=.009). The mean upper alveolar arcus width differed among apnea-hypopnea index<15 and apnea-hypopnea index>15 groups, 4.15±0.21 and 3.93± 0.26, respectively (p=0.04). There was no significant correlation between the Apnea-hypopnea index and the other variables but there were moderate to strong significant correlations between other variables. Conclusion: Uvular length, uvular width and the measurement of the upper alveolar arcus (indicating the maxillary transverse width) differ in cases who have undergone uvulopalatopharyngoplasty surgery and fell into different Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome severity groups determined by a polysomnographic study.
