Severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS) is most often accompanied by metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes and coronary disease. In its most severe form, it is a life-threatening condition, requiring active and immediate help. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most efficient nonsurgical treatment for patients with OSAS. However, for anatomical, disease-related and subjective reasons, many patients cannot accept this treatment. A permanent tracheostomy may be one alternative in such patients who, in addition, often suffer from extreme obesity and severe heart disease. In this paper, we describe the long-term follow-up results of 7 patients suffering from OSAS and treated with permanent tracheostomy. All the patients (5 men, 2 women) were diagnosed using the static charge sensitive bed method and night-time oximetry for sleep analysis. The mean body mass index (BMI) of the patients ranged from 34 to 60 and the age from 41 to 64 years. All the patients had severe OSAS and long periods of low oxygen saturation (SaO₂) levels. Six patients had a CPAP trial before tracheostomy. Only 2 patients tolerated the trial but, despite the continuous use of CPAP, they were nonresponders. Permanent tracheostomy was done according to normal routine in each patient. After primary healing of 2 days, they used silver cannulae, which also allowed them to speak. The patients were evaluated every year after the tracheostomy. After some practical difficulties including proper maintenance of the cannula, all the patients quickly learned the correct management. In postoperative sleep studies, nadir SaO₂ levels had improved significantly, obstructive apneas had disappeared and the subjective quality of life had improved. No marked changes in BMI were found.

Partial upper airway obstruction events and arterial oxyhemoglobin desaturations during sleep decreased significantly. Digital fluoroscopy revealed that the minimal anteroposterior dimension increased and collapsibility decreased at the level where velopharyngeal obstruction occurred, the soft palate.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is used for treatment of the obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, mainly in the lower range of the apnoea-hypopnea index or partial upper airway obstruction. Significant severe pain after UPPP is associated in the area having surgery and therefore less pain causing methods should be investigated. In this study, we compared laser-assisted and ultrasound scalpel-performed UPPP. Sleep apnoea patients (n = 40) recruited to the study were divided into two groups. UPPP was performed with either laser-assisted or an ultrasound scalpel. Perioperative bleeding, operating room time and duration of operation together with histological injury of soft palate were analysed. A postoperative follow-up questionnaire included a self analysis of pain, dietary intake and pain drug consumption. In the same follow-up form, filled in by patients themselves, possible side effects and adequacy of pain medication together with any postoperative haemorrhage events were recorded during 10-day study period after UPPP. The ultrasound scalpel group had significantly fewer haemorrhagic events (P = 0.037) during postoperative follow-up time after UPPP when compared to laser-assisted group. The pain values of all 40 patients were significantly higher in the morning than in the afternoon (P < 0.001) or evening (P < 0.001). Pain increased up to the fifth postoperative day (visual analogue scale, VAS = 46). The significant relief of pain to the mild level (VAS < 30 mm) occurred at ninth and tenth postoperative day. The ultrasound scalpel used as a surgical method in UPPP did not offer significant comprehensive benefits in this study compared to laser-assisted UPPP. Exclusively, postoperative haemorrhage events were minor, paralleling findings of previous studies where ultrasound scalpel had been used for tonsillectomy. We conclude that the ultrasound scalpel is comparable to laser-assisted UPPP.