Abstract: To explore the morphological changes of the upper airway in OSAHS patients with UPPP. Methods32 patients with OSAHS were enrolled in this study, and their pharynxes were scanned by CT before and after UPPP for analysis. The patients were divided into four groups according to the therapeutic efficacy, and comparison was done among the four groups. Results2-3 years after UPPP, the OSAHS patients′ upper airway morphology changed. The cross-section areas and transverse diameters of the velo-pharyngeal were enlarged during normal respiration; at the end of deep inspiration, the cross-section areas and transverse diameters of the velo-pharyngeal and retro-pharyngeal were both enlarged, and the pharyngeal collapsibility was relieved. There were significant differences in the cross-section areas′ changes of the velo-pharyngeal among the four groups. ConclusionIt is better for OSAHS patient to accept UPPP only if their main constrictive cross-section is located at the velo-pharyngeal level. CT imaging of the upper airway can be one reference standard for choosing UPPP.

Key words: obstructive, Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, Sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome, Tomography, X-ray, computer, Upper airway