Does Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty Change the Airway Volume?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome increases the risk of developing cardiac diseases and
hypertension. Therefore, effective treatment of patients with OSA is critical. The aim of this study was
to investigate the changes in velopharyngeal and glossopharyngeal airway morphology and volume
after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) in three adult OSA patients who had bilateral large tonsils
using three-dimensional computed tomography.
Case Report: All three patients (one male and two females) who presented with a history of heavy
snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness were examined with overnight nocturnal polysomnography,
which indicated moderate-to-severe OSA. Because all patients had large tonsils, UPPP was expected
to enlarge the pharyngeal airway. Polysomnography and three-dimensional computed tomography
(3D CT) scanning were performed and compared, both before and 3 months after UPPP.
Results: Unexpectedly, although the morphology of the glossopharyngeal airway clearly changed
after UPPP, the volume changes in the velopharyngeal and glossopharyngeal airways were
negligible. In conclusion, in our patients, the morphology of the velopharyngeal and glossopharyngeal
airway changed after UPPP; however, the volume did not change. Further analysis of 3D CT images
could contribute to our understanding of changes in morphology and air volume in the upper airway
that are caused by UPPP.