OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with uvula preservation and radiofrequency tongue base reduction for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

METHODSForty six patients with OSAHS were enrolled. One group (n = 22) of patients only received uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with uvula preservation, while the other group (n = 24) had both uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with uvula preservation and radiofrequency tongue base reduction. Polysomnography and distance between anterior pillars (DBAP), distance between posterior pillars (DBPP), length of roft palate, distance between tongue base and posterior pharyngeal wall (DBTP) were measured before and 6 months after surgery.

RESULTSThe pre-operation apnea hypopnea index (AHI), x +/- s, lowest SaO2 (LSaO2) of first group were (56. 5 +/- 6. 0)/h, and 0.626 +/- 0.060 respectively, and 6 months after surgery, AHI was (23.7 +/- 2.7)/h, LSaO2 was 0.797 +/- 0.053. The pre-operation AHI, LSaO2 of second group were (58.4 +/- 5.1)/h, and 0.650 +/- 0.057 respectively, and 6 months after surgery, AHI was (15.5 +/- 3.2)/h, LSaO2 was 0.864 +/- 0.064. After surgery AHI and LSaO2 have changed in both groups (P<0.001). Six months after operation, DBAP and DBPP became withy, length of soft palate became short (P<0. 001). In one group the validity ratio is 72.7% (16/22), the other group the validity ratio is 87.5% (21/24) (P< 0.05), and pharyngeal posterior airway width (PPAW) became withy (P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONSFor OSAHS patients, the obstructive regions should be evaluated. The combined surgery of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with uvula preservation and radiofrequency tongue base reduction could have a better result.