The treatment of obstructive sleep apnea patient using extended uvulopalatal flap: a case report

Abstract

The uvulopalatal flap (UPF) technique is a modification of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) for the surgical treatment of obstr uctive sleep apnea. In the UPF technique, an uvulopalatal flap is fabricated and sutured to the residual mucosa of the soft palate to expand the anter o-posterior dimensions of the oropharyngeal inlet. In the extended uvulopalatal flap (EUPF) technique, an incision at the tonsillar fossa is added to the classical UPF technique followed by the removal of mucosa and submucosal adipose tissue for additional expansion of the lateral dimension. The EUPF tec hnique is more conservative and reversible than UPPP. Therefore, complications, such as velopharyngeal insufficiency, dysphagia, dryness, naso pharyngeal stenosis and postoperative pain, are reduced. In the following case report, the patient was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and t reated with the EUPF technique. The patient’ s total respiratory disturbance events per hour (RDI) was decreased to 15.4, the O 2 saturation during the sleep was increased, and the excessive daytime sleepiness had disappeared after the surgery without complications. The authors report this case with a review of the relevant literature.