C F Ryan1, L L Love. 1. Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. fryan@interchange.ubc.ca
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is increasingly offered for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), although there is a lack of objective data to support its indications and efficacy. A study was undertaken to determine the treatment response to LAUP. METHODS: Overnight polysomnography was performed before and at least three months after surgery in 44 consecutive patients with symptomatic mild to moderate OSA (apnoea + hypopnoea index (AHI) >10/h). Pharyngeal dimensions were measured by videoendoscopy (n = 11) and disease-specific quality of life, sleepiness and snoring frequency (n = 16) before and after surgery were determined in subgroups of patients. LAUP was performed under local anaesthesia as a one stage resection of the uvula and soft palate by one of two experienced otolaryngologists. RESULTS: Twelve patients (27%) had a good response (AHI </=10/h after LAUP); four (9%) had a partial response (AHI </=50% of pre-LAUP value); 15 (34%) had a poor response (AHI >50% of pre-LAUP value); and 13 (30%) patients were worse (AHI >100% of pre-LAUP value). The velopharyngeal cross sectional area and anteroposterior diameter increased following LAUP (p<0.05). Quality of life indices improved significantly in all domains and sleepiness decreased. The snoring index did not decrease significantly. No preoperative anthropometric or videoendoscopic measures were predictive of a good response to LAUP. Patients who were worse after LAUP had milder baseline apnoea severity than those in the other response groups. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment response to LAUP is variable and unpredictable, and only a few patients achieve a satisfactory response. There appears to be no relationship between subjective and objective measures of treatment efficacy.
BACKGROUND: Laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is increasingly offered for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), although there is a lack of objective data to support its indications and efficacy. A study was undertaken to determine the treatment response to LAUP. METHODS: Overnight polysomnography was performed before and at least three months after surgery in 44 consecutive patients with symptomatic mild to moderate OSA (apnoea + hypopnoea index (AHI) >10/h). Pharyngeal dimensions were measured by videoendoscopy (n = 11) and disease-specific quality of life, sleepiness and snoring frequency (n = 16) before and after surgery were determined in subgroups of patients. LAUP was performed under local anaesthesia as a one stage resection of the uvula and soft palate by one of two experienced otolaryngologists. RESULTS: Twelve patients (27%) had a good response (AHI </=10/h after LAUP); four (9%) had a partial response (AHI </=50% of pre-LAUP value); 15 (34%) had a poor response (AHI >50% of pre-LAUP value); and 13 (30%) patients were worse (AHI >100% of pre-LAUP value). The velopharyngeal cross sectional area and anteroposterior diameter increased following LAUP (p<0.05). Quality of life indices improved significantly in all domains and sleepiness decreased. The snoring index did not decrease significantly. No preoperative anthropometric or videoendoscopic measures were predictive of a good response to LAUP. Patients who were worse after LAUP had milder baseline apnoea severity than those in the other response groups. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment response to LAUP is variable and unpredictable, and only a few patients achieve a satisfactory response. There appears to be no relationship between subjective and objective measures of treatment efficacy.
Authors: R J Schwab; A I Pack; K B Gupta; L J Metzger; E Oh; J E Getsy; E A Hoffman; W B Gefter Journal: Am J Respir Crit Care Med Date: 1996-10 Impact factor: 21.405
Authors: T Verse; R Bodlaj; R de la Chaux; A Dreher; C Heiser; M Herzog; W Hohenhorst; K Hörmann; O Kaschke; T Kühnel; N Mahl; J T Maurer; W Pirsig; K Rohde; A Sauter; M Schedler; R Siegert; A Steffen; B A Stuck Journal: HNO Date: 2009-11 Impact factor: 1.284