Uvulopalatal Flap for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Short-Term and Long-Term Results

Objective: To study long-term results in patients undergoing uvulopalatal flap (UPF) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Design: Prospective, clinical trial at tertiary referral center. Material and Methods: A study was undertaken on 83 OSA patients with palatal obstruction based on radiography and physical findings. UPF was conducted to increase the airway space and data were analyzed. Results: Patients had a mean age of 36.5 +/- 12.3 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 29.4 +/- 4.3 kg/m(2). The mean follow-up was 4.2 +/- 8.9 months, with a range of 48 to 62 months. The mean baseline apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), short-term AHI and long-term AHI were 45.6 +/- 10.3, 13.4 +/- 5.2, and 19.4 +/- 5.1, respectively. The mean baseline lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT), short-term LSAT, and long-term LSAT were 82.6 +/- 5.4%, 89.2 +/- 4.8%, and 88.1 +/- 3.2%, respectively. Forty-three patients (51.8%) had long-term success, and 15 patients(25.8%) had an increase in the AHI over the follow-up period such that they were no longer considered success by traditional AHI criteria. Serious complications were not encountered. Conclusions: UPF is a safe and effective procedure that results in long-term success for OSA. However, a regular follow-up is important because some patients will relapse in the long term.