Purpose: To review the surgical results of uvulopalatopharyngoplasties (UPPP) performed at the Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA, for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The results will be evaluated comparing the recognized standard criteria with a proposed revised criteria.
Materials and methods: A retrospective review was completed of uvulopalatopharyngoplasties performed from January 1, 1994 to July 30, 1996. Preoperative polysomnography and apnea-related symptoms were compared with those recorded postoperatively.
Results: With our new proposed criteria, an apnea-hypopnea index of less than 20 and lowest oxygen saturation of greater than 85%, the success rate of UPPP was 49%. If patients with severe sleep apnea were excluded, the success rate rose to 69%.
Conclusion: UPPP alone is an effective treatment for mild to moderately severe obstructive sleep apnea. However, it is not effective as the sole treatment for severe obstructive sleep apnea.