[Histologic changes in soft palate in patients with obstructive sleep apnea]. / Cambios histológicos en el paladar blando en pacientes con apnea obstructiva del sueño.

ABSTRACT

In patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) the reiterate injuries against the soft structures of the pharyngeal wall causes macro- and microscopic damages, which differ basically from the alterations verified in subjects without OSAS. We present a comparative histological study of 45 patients with OSAS operated on uvulopalatopharyngoplasties to face up 10 palates coming from normal post-mortem human among which a comparative anatomopathological study of 8 parameters was realized and the differences between the two groups signaled.