Multiple Levels Pharyngeal Surgeries for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of multiple level pharyngeal surgery in patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Ten patients who failed non surgical treatment underwent surgery. The surgeries include uvelopalatopharyngoplasty, reduction of the size of the base of the tongue by cobulation and modified hyoid myotomy with suspension. Cephalometric analysis and sleep study were performed pre and post operatively to evaluate the results. Seven patients achieved more than 50% reduction of apnea hypopnea index (AHI) with postoperative AHI is less than 20%. Cephalometric analysis showed an average 5.1 mm increase in the posterior airway space. The mean follow up period of the 10 patients is 12.4 months our results suggest multiple level surgery in treatment of moderate and sever obstructive apnea is an effective option.