Barbed sutures reposition pharyngoplasty as surgical treatment in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Surgical planning for the management of obstructive sleep apnea- hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) has changed since the introduction of drug induced sleep endoscopy (DISE). Aim: To evaluate the technique of barbed sutures reposition pharyngoplasty (BRP) for velopharyngeal collapse and/or oropharyngeal lateral walls after DISE evaluation in OSAHS patients. Material and method: 88 patients were evaluated for surgery by anthropometry, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) and respiratory polygraphy. 26 of 88 patients were se­lected. Of the 26, 14 agreed to surgical treatment, which was selected on DISE findings. In all cases, BRP was performed. Results: Three months after surgery there was improvement in 10/14 patients (Sher criteria, apnea-hypopnea index reduction at <20 or 50% of baseline). The ESS improved on average 12 to 5 (p <0.05). No incidents were reported in the post-operative period and no adverse events were reported. Conclusion: The BRP technique is a simple and useful technique for the anterior and lateral expansion of the soft palate and oropharynx, with a similar success rate in this cohort to that internationally reported.