Objective: Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and genial and hyoid advancement (GHA) are surgical techniques for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. These techniques enlarge the oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal airway, reducing collapse at these levels. This study evaluated the effect of these procedures on swallowing.
Methods: Fifteen patients who had undergone UPPP and GHA were evaluated with a modified barium swallow to assess biomechanical changes in swallowing. Specifically, velopharyngeal insufficiency; changes in tongue-base movement, laryngeal elevation, and closure; epiglottic movement; and pharyngoesophageal opening were examined. A brief swallowing questionnaire was administered to assess for subjective changes in swallowing.
Results: Nine of 15 patients demonstrated abnormal objective swallow, of whom 5 reported normal subjective swallowing. Six of 15 demonstrated normal objective swallowing. Of these, 5 reported subjective change.
Conclusion: UPPP with GHA may alter biomechanical events during deglutition. However, little correlation exists between subjective symptoms and objective findings. Further studies that include preoperative and postoperative modified barium swallows are needed to identify a cause-and-effect relationship.