Author(s)

Yanpeng Hou, Zhenming Xu, Xiaofeng Cui, Yin Guo

Department of Otolaryngology, People’s Liberation Army of China No. 463 Hospital, Shenyang, China.

Objectives: To investigate the evaluation of the harmonic scalpel-assisted uvulopalatopharyn-goplasty (UPPP) surgery with posterior wall of uvula mucosa sutured with anterior wall. Design: According to the diagnostic criteria published by Chinese medical association of otolaryngology-head and neck, 21 cases were performed UPPP with the harmonic scalpel. The Regional Ethics Committee of our hospital approved the study protocol. Informed written consent was obtained from all participants. Setting: A single specialist hospital. Participants: 21 patients with OSAHS. Participants were not randomized in groups and were performed UPPP with the harmonic scalpel. Main Outcome Measures: Part of the uvula muscle and the anterior wall of the uvula mucosa were removed, and the mucosa of posterior wall was preserved. The mucosa of the posterior wall was sutured with the remaining part of the anterior wall. The AHI and LaSO₂ were measured both before and six months after the operation by Polysomnography (PSG). Results: This study reported a significant improvement (p < 0.01) at six months of follow-up. The effective rate of this surgery was 76.2% at six month. Preoperative AHI (± s) was 48.6 ± 12.65, and LSaO₂ (± s) was 67.4% ± 9.18%; postoperative AHI was 10.9 ± 9.29, and postoperative LSaO₂ was 91.0 ± 1.47. The mean operation duration was 30.1 minutes. Conclusion: The use of HS in UPPP is efficient and shows some advantages over conventional method: its use provided a blood free surgery field, and shorter operation duration.

Sleep Apnea-Hyperpnoea Syndrome, Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), Harmonic Scalpel, Bleeding

Hou, Y. , Xu, Z. , Cui, X. and Guo, Y. (2016) Harmonic Scalpel Assisted Uvalopalatopharyngoplasty. International Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, 5, 103-107. doi: 10.4236/ijohns.2016.52017.