New Procedure Treats Sleep Apnea

Extended uvulopalatal flap (EUPF) surgery may reduce the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, reported the authors of a study published in Archives of Otolaryngology (February 2004). The procedure involves the removal of fatty tissues, soft glands in the throat, and the tonsils to open airway space; the muscle tissue is left alone. The surgery was performed on 55 patients with sleep apnea at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan. The surgery resulted in an 82% success rate. Additionally, patients who had EUPF surgery snored less, had improved blood oxygen levels, and experienced less daytime sleepiness.