[Result of Z-palatoplasty for treating severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and related factors of Z-palatoplasty for treating severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHOD: Thirty-two severe OSAHS patients with Friedman II and III oropharyngeal airway had Z-palatoplasty. Twenty-three patients with modified Mallampti Index (MMI) III-IV had coblation tongue channeling (CTC) simultaneously. The patients were followed up for one year post operatively. RESULT: After operation, the apnea and hypopnea index (AHI) decreased from (54.74 +/- 20.38)/h to (22.72 +/- 18.36)/h; the lowest artery oxygen saturation (LSaO2 ) increased from (0.74 +/- 0.08) to (0.85 +/- 0.14); the Epworth sleep scale (ESS) decreased from (12.24 +/- 5.78) to (5.35 +/- 3.62); the percentage of time with oxyhemoglobin saturation below 0.90 (CT90) decreased from (31.48 +/- 20.15) to (15.73 +/- 12.29). All of the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). According to related criterion of chinese journal of otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery in 2009, accumulative excellence rate was 71.9% and accumulative valid rate 84.4%. Six patients had temporary velopharyngeal insufficiency and returned to normal after 3 months. CONCLUSION: Z-palatoplasty is an effective and safe surgical approach for OSAHS patients with Friedman II/III.