Lateral pharyngoplasty: A new treatment for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

Abstract

Objective: The role of the lateral pharyngeal muscular walls in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is crucial. My objective is to describe a surgical procedure for splinting the lateral pharyngeal walls in patients with OSAHS and report the initial results. Study Design: Prospective randomized pilot study performed in an academic tertiary center as part of a doctoral thesis. Patients and Methods: Ten adults with OSAHS, originally selected for treatment with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, underwent the lateral pharyngoplasty procedure, which consists of a microdissection of the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle within the tonsillar fossa, sectioning of this muscle, and suturing of the created laterally based flap of that muscle to the same‐side palatoglossus muscle. In addition, a palatopharyngeal Z‐plasty is performed to prevent retropalatal collapse. Results: Lateral pharyngoplasty improved sleep and daytime symptoms related to OSAHS. After at least 6 months of follow‐up, the median apnea‐hypopnea index decreased from 41.2 to 9.5 (P = .009) and the median total sleep time spent in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and in stages 3 plus 4 non‐REM sleep increased from 14.1% to 22.1% (P = .059) and from 5.3% to 16.3% (P = .037), respectively. Also, there was statistically significant improvement in snoring, daytime sleepiness, and overall impact of the disease on quality of life. Swallowing disturbances lasted a median of 14.5 days after the surgeries, and all patients returned to normal subjective swallowing function in the follow‐up. Conclusions: Lateral pharyngoplasty is a safe and straightforward approach to lateral pharyngeal muscles and has produced appreciable benefits for OSAHS patients.