Cephalometric analysis and surgical treatment of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. A preliminary report.

Oropharyngeal soft tissue profiles were studied by cephalometric analysis in 25 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and 10 controls. The length of the soft palate was significantly longer in patients (mean 48 mm) than in controls (mean 35 mm), as was the distance of close contact between the tongue and the soft palate. The thickness of the soft palate measured in the midsagittal plane was larger (mean 14 mm) than in the control group (mean 11 mm). The hyoid bone was more inferiorly positioned in patients than in controls, apparently giving the tongue a more upright position with more of the tongue tissue at the hypopharyngeal level than found in normals. In patients, the nasopharyngeal airway space, as well as the oropharyngeal airway space, had significantly reduced anteroposterior dimensions. Based on these data a new and modified surgical technique for treatment of OSAS patients has been developed. The surgical procedure is described, and some preliminary results concerning the effect of this operation in 16 patients are reported.