Optimizing Surgical Choice in Mild and Moderate OSA: Anterior Palatoplasty vs. Radiofrequency Uvulopalatoplasty.
| Title: | Optimizing Surgical Choice in Mild and Moderate OSA: Anterior Palatoplasty vs. Radiofrequency Uvulopalatoplasty. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Tanase I; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.; Ciolofan MS; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania.; Sarafoleanu CC; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.; Neagu MC; ENT Department, Medicover Hospital, 020331 Bucharest, Romania.; Badea FC; ENT Department, Medicover Hospital, 020331 Bucharest, Romania.; Mogoantă CA; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania. |
| Source: | Life (Basel, Switzerland) [Life (Basel)] 2026 Apr 18; Vol. 16 (4). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Apr 18. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: MDPI AG Country of Publication: Switzerland NLM ID: 101580444 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 2075-1729 (Print) Linking ISSN: 20751729 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Life (Basel) Subsets: PubMed not MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: Basel, Switzerland : MDPI AG, 2011- |
| Abstract: | Background: Surgical palatal techniques are established alternatives to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in selective patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with retropalatal airway collapse. Anterior palatoplasty (AP) stiffens and advances the soft palate, whereas radiofrequency-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (RF-UPP) uses thermal ablation to reduce palatal tissue. This study aimed to compare the 6-month efficacy and morbidity of AP vs. RF-UPP in treating mild-to-moderate OSA.; Materials and Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study (March 2023-March 2025) of 86 adults (mean age ~42 years; 69.8% male) with mild-moderate OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] 5-30) due to palatal obstruction; 43 patients underwent AP and 43 patients underwent RF-UPP. Polysomnographic AHI, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), snoring severity (0-10 visual analog scale, VAS) and sleep-related quality of life (functional outcomes of sleep questionnaire, FOSQ) were analyzed at baseline and 6 months postoperatively. Postoperative pain (0-10 VAS), recovery time, and bleeding events were also assessed.; Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between groups (AHI ~22 vs. 21 events/h; ESS ~11 vs. 10; snoring VAS ~8.4 vs. 8.2 in AP vs. RF-UPP, all p > 0.1). At 6 months, the AP group achieved a greater mean AHI reduction than the RF-UPP group (-13.5 ± 7.5 vs. -8.0 ± 7.2, p < 0.001), with post-treatment AHI averaging 8.5 ± 6.0 vs. 13.2 ± 6.5 events/h (AP vs. RF-UPP). AP yielded a higher surgical success rate (34/43 (79.1%) vs. 23/43 (53.5%), p = 0.012), meeting the criteria of ≥50% AHI reduction to |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: anterior palatoplasty; obstructive sleep apnea; polysomnography; radiofrequency-assisted uvulopalatoplasty; sleep surgery |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260504 Date Completed: 20260504 Latest Revision: 20260507 |
| Update Code: | 20260507 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC13117941 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/life16040687 |
| PMID: | 42073495 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article