OBJECTIVETo discuss the methodology and therapeutic effect of hyoid suspension in association with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) in the treatment of severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

METHODSSixty-nine patients with severe OSAHS (apnea hyponea index, AHI > 30) were treated with hyoid suspension and UPPP. Sixty-one patients were followed for 6 months (48 of them for 12 months). Polysomnogram (PSG) tests were performed and an Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) was recorded preoperatively and postoperatively in these patients.

RESULTSAfter the surgery,the snoring of the patients disappeared or was alleviated to varing degrees. Eighteen patients underwent fiberoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopic examination. Twelve of them showed palatopharyngeal and glossopharyngeal stenosis was improved 6 months after surgery. Six patients showed no change, but had no glossoptosis. Fourteen patients underwent fiberoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopic examination 1 year after surgery, with no recurrence of the stenosis being found. A decrease of 50% in the AHI was considered effective, and in patients the effective rate was 78.7% (48/61) 6 months after the operation and 75.0% (36/48) 1 year after the operation. The average AHI decreased from 44.8 to 15.1 and 17.2, and the minimum arterial oxygen saturation average increased from 0.512 to 0.880 and 0.730. Matching t tests were utilized and the results of follow-up indicated that there was a significant improvement in the indexes in those cases which could be followed up (P < 0.01). The average of the ESS was 6.7 six months after operation and 7.2 one year after operation, with a significant decrease compared to the preoperative (16.6) data (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSModified hyoid suspension in association with UPPP has the advantage of a simple operation, short hospitalization and less expense, and the effect of the operation was significant. Patients with palatopharyngeal and glossopharyngeal stenosis should be chosen for this operation.