Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, San Diego, Calif, Plenary Session

Abstract

<b>George A. Gates, MD</b>, Seattle, Wash, reported on outcomes for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The project was an American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery—sponsored multi-institutional<b>outcome-based study comparing modalities of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.</b>A brief presentation of outcomes-based methodology was presented. Preliminary data reported that surgery had a more a favorable impact according to self-evaluations by patients with moderate obstructive sleep apnea. In contrast, there appeared to be no difference in patient perspective between surgery and continuous positive airway pressure in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea. The Academy is committed to further outcomes-based studies. A report from a group headed by<b>Yosef P. Krespi, MD</b>, New York, NY, entitled "Self-Reported Symptoms and Polysomnographic Findings in Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty Candidates"<b>compared severity of obstructive sleep apnea symptoms with polysomnographic data</b>in patients who have undergone laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty. A related study, "<b>The Relationship Between Pharyngometric and</b>