H Miljeteig, S Mateika, JS Haight, P Cole and V Hoffstein
Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada.

This study was designed to assess the subjective and objective effects of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) for treatment of snoring. We mailed a questionnaire dealing with snoring, quality of sleep, and interference with bed-partner's sleep to 100 unselected patients who were referred because of snoring. Replies were received from 69 patients. The answers were analyzed, and the subjective impressions were compared with preoperative and postoperative objective measurements of snoring and apnea. The average (+/- SD) length of follow-up was 45 +/- 20 mo. We found no significant differences in the apnea/hypopnea index, snoring index, and mean and maximal nocturnal sound intensity before and after surgery in this group. However, despite this lack of objective improvement. 78% of patients reported reduction in snoring, and 79% reported improvement in the quality of sleep; 18 of 69 bed partners no longer complained of interference with their sleep compared with only one preoperatively. We conclude that if the purpose of UPPP is to reduce the reported health hazards associated with snoring, then comparison between objective preoperative and postoperative measurements of snoring does not indicate success; if, on the other hand, the purpose of surgery is to alleviate the social hazard, then UPPP partially achieves this goal.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. M. Smith and J. M. Battagel Non-apneic snoring and the orthodontist: the effectiveness of mandibular advancement splints J. Orthod., June 1, 2004; 31(2): 115 - 123. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H.-Y. Li, N.-H. Chen, Y.-H. Shu, and P.-C. Wang Changes in Quality of Life and Respiratory Disturbance After Extended Uvulopalatal Flap Surgery in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, February 1, 2004; 130(2): 195 - 200. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. A. Ferguson, K. Heighway, and R. R. F. Ruby A Randomized Trial of Laser-assisted Uvulopalatoplasty in the Treatment of Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., January 1, 2003; 167(1): 15 - 19. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A.D. McGown, H.K. Makker, J.M. Battagel, P.R. L'Estrange, H.R. Grant, and S.G. Spiro Long-term use of mandibular advancement splints for snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea: a questionnaire survey Eur. Respir. J., March 1, 2001; 17(3): 462 - 466. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. P. Millman, C. C. Carlisle, C. Rosenberg, D. Kahn, R. McRae, and N. R. Kramer Simple Predictors of Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty Outcome in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Chest, October 1, 2000; 118(4): 1025 - 1030. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. A. Hukins, I. C. Mitchell, and D. R. Hillman Radiofrequency Tissue Volume Reduction of the Soft Palate in Simple Snoring Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, May 1, 2000; 126(5): 602 - 606. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C F Ryan and L L Love Unpredictable results of laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea Thorax, May 1, 2000; 55(5): 399 - 404. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				J. Pancer, S. Al-Faifi, M. Al-Faifi, and V. Hoffstein Evaluation of Variable Mandibular Advancement Appliance for Treatment of Snoring and Sleep Apnea* Chest, December 1, 1999; 116(6): 1511 - 1518. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Janson, T. Gislason, H. Bengtsson, G. Eriksson, E. Lindberg, C.-E. Lindholm, E. Hultcrantz, J. Hetta, and G. Boman Long-term Follow-up of Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treated With Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, March 1, 1997; 123(3): 257 - 262. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. G. Ramirez and D. I. Loube Inferior Sagittal Osteotomy With Hyoid Bone Suspension for Obese Patients With Sleep Apnea Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, September 1, 1996; 122(9): 953 - 957. [Abstract] [PDF]