Does the dimple point represent the margin of soft palate musculature

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate and compare the length of the soft palate from the posterior nasal spine (PNS) to the dimple point and, to the posterior margin of soft palate musculature. Material and methods: A prospective descriptive study was made. Two hundred-seven patients, who underwent uvulopalatal flap for sleep-disordered breathing between Jan 2003 and Dec 2006, were recruited for the study. The length from PNS to the dimple point of the soft palate (PNS-Dimple) was measured. After the mucosa on the outlined soft palate were removed, measurement of the length from PSN to the posterior border of the soft palate musculature (PNS-Muscle) was recorded. Results: Lengths of PNS-Dimple and PNS-Muscle were 24.3±3.2 and 24.5±3.5 mm (mean±SD), respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the lengths (p=0.40; r=0.7). Mean lengths of PNS-Dimple and PNS-Muscle in OSA patients were significantly longer than those in primary snoring patients. Conclusion: When undertaking soft palate surgery for sleep-disordered breathing, removal of the soft palate should not exceed the dimple point which represents the posterior border of the soft palate musculature in order to prevent postoperative velopharyngeal insufficiency.