Effect of Surgery on Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

The statistical analysis of data obtained by monitoring pre-and post-operative condition of patients treated for sleep apnea syndorome is reported.Between October 1988 and October 1992, surgery was performed on 162 patients (66 children and 96 adults), who complained of snoring and symptoms related to sleep apnea syndrome at Fujita Health University The Second Affiliated Hospital. Treatment for children was adeno-tonsillectomy. Treatment for adults was uvulo-palato-pharyngoplasty (UPPP) and/or nasal surgery. Pathological apnea (sleep apnea syndrome) was defined as apnea index (AI)≥5. Apnea index was defined as frequency of apnea per hour. Marked improvement was defined as≥75% reduction in AT or a postoperative AI below 5. Improvement was defined as 50-74% reduction in AT. Slight improvement was defined as 25-49% reduction in AI. No improvement was defined as less than 25% reduction in AI.Pathological apnea was recognized in 33 (50%) of 66 children. Of these 33 patients, 27 (82%) showed marked improvement after treatment; 3 (9%) showed improvement; 1 (3%) showed slight improvement and 2 (6%) showed no improvement. Pathological apnea was recognized in 83 (87%) of the 96 adult patients. Of these 83 patients, 24 (29%) showed marked improvement after treatment; 18 (22%) showed improvement; 13 (15%) showed slight improvement and 28 (34%) showed no improvement.