OBJECTIVETo observe the long-term results of midline partial glossectomy with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

METHODSTwenty-four severe OSAHS patients treated with midline partial glossectomy and UPPP from January 2003 to March 2004 were included in this study, the follow-up was 5 years. The median of preoperative lowest arterial oxygen saturation (LSaO(2)) of this group at night (the same below) 0.650, and AHI was 56.5 times/h, UPPP was performed under general anesthesia, no tracheotomy performed. Criteria of curative effects: AHI < 5 times/h was recovery, AHI < 20 times/h and decreased beyond 50% marked improvement, only AHI decreased beyond 50% improvement.

RESULTSPost-operation AHI (6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 5 years after surgery) decreased significantly compared to that before the surgery, and post-operation LSaO(2) was significantly higher than that of preoperative (Wilcoxon's signed rank test, the same below, P < 0.01). The LSaO(2) and AHI were significantly different between 1 year, 2 years, 5 years and 6 months post-operatively (P < 0.01). Six months after surgery, PSG results showed that 21 were recovery, marked improvement for the other 3 cases, the recovery rate was 87.5%. One year after surgery, 18 were recovery, marked improvement in 3 cases, the recovery rate 75.0%. Two years after surgery, 14 cases recovery, marked improvement in 4 cases, the recovery rate 58.3%. Five years after surgery, 6 were recovery, the recovery rate 25.0%. Among 5 cases with hypertension before the surgery, after surgery antihypertensive drugs were not necessary in 4 cases, and the dosage was decreased in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONThe midline partial glossectomy with UPPP surgery may be an effective treatment for the severe OSAHS, long-term effect is satisfactory.