변형된 구개인두성형술의 효과 및 합병증

Sleep Apnea is the cessation of air flow secondary either to an obstruction of the upper air-way or to a cessation of respiratory effort. Sleep apnea events are frequently associated with a decrease in oxygen saturation and typically are terminated by an arousal from sleep. Repeated desaturation and disruptions of sleep are believed to be responsible for the medical and social consequences of sleep apnea.

Since the Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty(UPPP) was introduced by Fujita in 1981 and the palatopharyngoplasty (PPP) was introduced by Simmons in 1983 for the obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) patients, these procedures have been modified by many other surgeons. We had treated the OSA patients by Simmons method from 1984 to 1986, but there had been many complication including cicatrical stenosis of soft palate, postoperative bleeding, airway obstruction and wound dehiscence. So we have modified the Simmons method and OSA patients have been undergone the modified method from 1986.

The present article focuses principally upon the comparision of the effects and complications of modified PPP with those of Simmons method.