OBJECTIVETo treat severe obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) with transcervical tongue partial reduction and evaluate treating effect.

METHODSForty four patients of severe OSAHS were treated with transcervical tongue partial reduction + uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). Apnea hypopnea index (AHI), minimal oxygen percent saturation, body mass index (BMI), area of retroglossal region were measured for diagnosis and evaluation.

RESULTSAHI decreased from (67.5 ± 21.1) times/h to (10.5 ± 6.8) times/h (t = 2.1, P < 0.01). The lowest oxygen percent saturation increased from 0.694 ± 0.009 to 0.829 ± 0.008 (t = 4.3, P < 0.01). The area of retroglossal region increased from (291.7 ± 107.8) mm² to (398.1 ± 94.5) mm² (t = 3.318, P < 0.05). Four patients complained dysphagia half year after operation. One patient complained about pharyngeal fistula, which disappeared in 2 weeks. One patient appeared hypoglossis bleeding, which stopped after compression.

CONCLUSIONTranscervical tongue partial reduction is an effective attempt and supplement for OSAHS with retroglossal region narrow.

Body Mass Index ; Deglutition Disorders ; Humans ; Oral Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; methods ; Palate ; surgery ; Pharynx ; surgery ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; surgery ; Tongue ; surgery ; Uvula ; surgery