Comparison of Two Techniques in Simple Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Patients: Palatal Implant or Uvulopalatal Flap

Abstract

Compare postoperative achievement of pillar palatal implant and uvulopalatal flap by polysomnographic and subjective methods after 1 year in obstructive sleep apnea and snoring patients. This study was retrospectively performed on 117 patients. An Epworth sleepiness scale for patients, obtained after the polysomnograpy during the preoperative and the 1st year of postoperative periods were filled. Patients answered a scale for daytime sleepiness and the spouse filled another scale for the snoring and apnea grading. The pillar palatal implant technique was used in 59 patients and 58 had an uvulopalatal flap. Preoperative and 1st postoperative year data was compared. The level of satisfaction of patients was determined. No any changes were determined in the pillar palatal implant group, while a significant decrease was determined in apnea hypopnea index levels in the uvulopalatal flap group. A significant decrease was obtained at the postoperative Epworth level in the pillar palatal implant group. The decrease is significant in the uvulopalatal flap group. The uvulopalatal flap was preferable for apnea and daytime sleepiness of patients in mild and moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome groups. For simple snoring patients, the pillar palatal implant method is preferred.