The nasopharyngeal tube: a simple and effective tool to indicate the need for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS To compare polysomnography (PSG) data after nasopharyngeal tube (NPT) insertion and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), and explore the possibility of predicting UPPP outcomes with NPT-PSG. STUDY DESIGN Prospective nonrandomized study. METHODS PSG was performed after NPT insertion in 73 inpatients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). All patients accepted UPPP surgery. PSG was repeated after 12 months of UPPP to assess curative effects. Data were then compared to correlate NPT-PSG with the efficacy of UPPP. RESULTS NPT insertion decreased the overall apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and increased the lowest oxygen saturation (LaSO2 ). NPT-PSG results correlated well with surgical outcomes 12 months post-UPPP. The correlation coefficient for AHI and LaSO2 were 0.571 (P < .001) and 0.268 (P = .033), respectively. Next, enrolled patients were divided into two groups based on NPT-PSG results: group A, AHI <15 times/hr, 50 cases; group B, AHI ≥15 times/hr, 23 cases. The UPPP surgery success rates of the two groups were 86.0% and 39.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS NPT-PSG data are closely correlated with UPPP efficacy and may assist in the selection of appropriate OSAHS patients for UPPP. An AHI ≥15 times/hr after NPT insertion indicates glossopharyngeal obstruction and suggests the need for appropriate intervention. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4.