The effect of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty without tonsillectomy using local anaesthesia: a prospective long-term follow-up.

This paper presents the long-term effect of restricted surgery for snoring and sleep apnoea. Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSAS) (19) or heavy snoring (HS) (36) were studied prospectively for five to seven years after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty without tonsillectomy performed by regular surgical technique using local anaesthesia (LUPP). Five years after surgery, 90 per cent answered a questionnaire. All OSAS patients were offered a polysomnography, and the HS patients were offered a sleep study. Eighty per cent still showed a positive effect on daytime somnolence, and 77 per cent on snoring. Side-effects were reported by 40 per cent; most common was choking (20 per cent) the first year. Eighteen per cent had local problems such as globus sensation. The polysomnography showed that 80 per cent were still 'responders' with an apnoea index (AI) reduction of > 50 per cent. None of the HS patients had developed OSAS. In conclusion, LUPP in selected patients with OSAS or HS has a good long-term effect. Side-effects are common, but diminish with time.