Predicting Outcomes after Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) remains one of the most common surgical treatments for patients with obstructive sleep apnea. However, the results after UPPP are unpredictable. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to identify predictors of success after UPPP.

DATA SOURCES: A literature search was performed utilizing PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane Library.

REVIEW METHODS: The keywords and medical subject heading terms used were uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and UPPP. Studies were included if UPPP was used as a single surgical procedure for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and results were presented separately as responder (surgical success) and nonresponder (surgical failure). Exclusion criteria included pediatric patients and other surgical procedures (eg, nasal and hypopharyngeal) performed at the same time as the UPPP. Age, body mass index, preoperative apnea-hypopnea index, Friedman stage, and several cephalometric variables were compared between responders and nonresponders.

RESULTS: A total of 1257 studies were screened, with 15 studies included in this meta-analysis. Our results demonstrate that Friedman stage I is a strong predictor for success after UPPP, while Friedman stage III and low hyoid position are negative predictors. Age, body mass index, preoperative apnea-hypopnea index, and other cephalometric measurements were not significant.

CONCLUSION: Friedman stage and hyoid position are important predictors for UPPP.