OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of overnight arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) the first day after upper airway reconstruction surgery in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

METHODSOne hundred and thirteen subjects with OSAHS underwent revised uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (H-UPPP), among them, 46 subjects underwent same phase transpalatal pharyngoplasty under general anesthesia. After transferred to general ward from intensive care unit the first day after operation they received an overnight hemoglobin-oxygen saturation monitoring.

RESULTSTwelve subjects (10.2%) had lower lowest SaO2 than preoperative value. ≥ 0.03 oxygen desaturation index (ODI3) decreased in an median of 36.9 [16.9; 52.2] events/hour compared with preoperative values (Z = -9.221, P < 0.001). One subjects (0.8%) had increased ODI3. No hemorrhages, cardiovascular complications or airway obstruction occurred. The subjects with any two of the following conditions (n = 51) had lower average SaO2, lowest SaO2 and higher ODI3 than the others (n = 62, Z were -3.084, -4.083 and -4.593, P < 0.001). The three subjects were: (1) BMI ≥ 27.0 kg/m(2); (2) Lowest SaO2 < 0.600; (3) AHI ≥ 60.0 events/h.

CONCLUSIONSSome OSAHS patients had a decreased LSaO2 than preoperative values the first day after operation. As part of a patient safety initiative, SaO2 monitoring for those who have high risk for hypoxemia is necessary.