Efficacy of multilevel pharyngeal surgery for osa on cardiac arrhythmias

Abstract EN

OBJECTIVE: Is to determine the efficacy of multilevel pharyngeal surgery for severe obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) on relieving symptoms and cardiac arrhythmia.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized study Methods : Thirty five patients with severe OSA were enrolled in this study after clinical examination, endoscopy and polysomnography.

24 hour ambulatory ECG monitoring was done 24 hour before and 1-3 month after surgery.

Surgery included uvulopalatal flap and radiofrequency treatment of the tongue base.

Questionnaire including relevant symptoms associated with sleep disorders and Epworth Sleeping Scale (ESS) were recorded at baseline and 1-3 months after surgery.

RESULTS: All patients reported symptomatic improvement.

Multilevel pharyngeal surgery resulted in 94% improvement in snoring, 80% improvement in chocking, 89% improvement in apnea, and 82% in awakenings.

Postoperatively, pathologically significant rhythm disturbances persisted in 4(40%) out of ten patients whereas the non significant rhythm disturbances show resolution in the other 20 patients.

Successful outcome regarding the cardiac arrhythmia was achieved in 86.6% .

CONCLUSION : Successful outcome, defined by subjective improvement of symptoms and resolution of cardiac arrhythmia, was achieved with multilevel surgery for most patients with sever OSA .