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. 2015 Mar;67(Suppl 1):161-2.
doi: 10.1007/s12070-014-0800-9. Epub 2014 Nov 20.

Should we stop performing uvulopalatopharyngoplasty?

Mario Mantovani  1 , Vittorio Rinaldi  1 , Fabrizio Salamanca  2 , Sara Torretta  1 , Daniela Carioli  1 , Michele Gaffuri  1 , Lorenzo Pignataro  1
Affiliations

Should we stop performing uvulopalatopharyngoplasty?

Mario Mantovani et al. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015 Mar.

Abstract

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is still one of the most frequently performed procedures for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in adults, with unsatisfactory results. In the era of the mini-invasive/conservative surgery, considering the increasing attention to the disregulation of the peripheral neuromuscular control of the upper airway contributing to pharyngeal collapse in OSAS, with the development of sophisticated treatments such as the neural stimulation of the upper-airway, which role should be reserved to a muscular resective procedure such as UPPP? Being aware of the uncertain results and the high postoperative morbidity of UPPP, we believe that we should re-evaluate the role of these procedures involving the resection of palatal/pharyngeal muscles and uvula.

Keywords: Barbed sutures; OSAS; Snore surgery; Snoring; UPPP.

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