Since Fujita first described uvulopalatopharyngoplasty(UPPP)in 1981,UPPP and its modified procedures have been widely used to treat obstructive sleep apnea and hyponea syndrome(OSAHS).However,despite of its wide application,the success rates was uncertain,ranging from 20% to 80%,with patients of varing Friedman stages.It is well known that the principle of UPPP is to remove the redundant tissue of palate,elongated uvula and hypertrophic tonsils in order to widen the anteroposterior space at the level of palate.But recently,surgeons have found that not only the collapse of soft palate but also the collapse of lateral wall at the palate level can contribute to the obstruction of upper airway at the level of palate.As a result,many surgeries which can widen the lateral velopharyneal space have sprung up in these years.This review focuses on the development of techniques that emphasize the enlargement of lateral velopharyneal space in patients with OSAHS.
Humans ; Larynx ; Palate ; anatomy & histology ; Palate, Soft ; Pharynx ; anatomy & histology ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; therapy ; Uvula

There are little information on prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and clinical features in the young military population. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of snoring and high risk of OSAS in young male soldiers in Korea and to identify the risk factors of OSAS. A total of 665 participants (aged 20-23 yr) who visited the Armed Forces Ildong Hospital for regular physical examination were enrolled. All participants completed the Berlin Questionnaire and underwent a physical examination. The participants with high risk for OSAS completed portable sleep monitoring. The prevalence of snoring and high risk of OSAS in young male soldiers in Korea was 13.5% and 8.1%, respectively. The prevalence of high arched palate, tongue indentation, long uvula, large tonsil and retrognathia was significantly higher in the high risk OSAS group. High arched palate, long uvula or low lying soft palate, tonsil size III or IV, Epworth Sleepiness Scale score > 10 and obesity (BMI > 27 kg/m2) were found to independently predict OSAS. For early identification and treatment of young soldiers with OSAS in a military environment, a precise screening by questionnaire and physical examination is needed.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; *Military Personnel ; Odds Ratio ; Palate/anatomy & histology ; Palatine Tonsil/anatomy & histology ; Polysomnography ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea ; Retrognathia/physiopathology ; Risk Factors ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/*epidemiology ; Snoring/epidemiology ; Uvula/anatomy & histology ; Young Adult