Abstract
Problem: Polysomnography is a functional diagnostic tool for recording the actual sleep apnea, but it fails to show the anatomical changes of the velopharyngeal area that occur during the sleep cycle, and it is not always feasible as a postoperative test because of its cost, and time-consuming nature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of the fiberoptic endoscope video recording as an alternative pre- and postoperative test of the OSA patients. Methods: Fifteen OSA patients who underwent UPPP were enrolled pre- and postoperatively. Snoring and daytime sleepiness were evaluated subjectively. The status of the velopharynx was recorded with fiberoptic videonasoendoscopy during voluntary palatal snoring and expiration. The images were reconstructed according to time sequence. The Compliance and Collapsibility Indexes were calculated. Results: The average postoperative compliance of the velopharyngeal area decreased significantly. The Collapsibility Index significantly decreased after UPPP and was correlated with subjective symptoms. Conclusion: Fiberoptic nasoendoscopy is a simple but useful method that can be used in the dynamic evaluation of the pre-and postoperative velopharynx of OSA patients on an outpatient basis. Significance: This method will help us to evaluate the dynamic movement of velopharynx on an outpatient basis, before and after sugery. Support: None reported.
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