Results
Eleven patients were included; nine completed the follow-up; 7 males and 2 females. Their mean age was 47.3±5.944 years (range=39-56). Eight patients were caused by UPPP while one caused by adenotonsillectomy. The duration between the causative operation and the NPS repair ranged between 6 and 21 years (mean=1.56±4.6). Preoperatively, the NPS was grade 1 in two patients (22.2%) and grade 2 in 7 patients (77.8%).
The operative bleeding was non-significant and recovery was eventless in all cases. The mean postoperative hospitalization was 1.8±1.03 (range=1-4) days. Noinfection, primary or secondary hemorrhages were reported. Postoperative pain was tolerated and controlled by paracetamol orally and was completely relieved within 2 weeks. All patients resumed normal diet after 2 weeks. Five patients developed transient VPI that was noted occasionally with drinking fluids, but did not interfere with normal diet and disappeared completely within 3 months with no permanent VPI. No patients developed palatal fistula or restenosis >50%.
The grade of NPS improved significantly postoperatively (X2=13.2, p=0.00136) throughout the follow up of one year. Preoperatively, all patients had OSA that was objectively documented by polysomnography with AHI ranged between 5.6 and 38.8 (mean= 23.2±9.37). Postoperatively, the AHI showed significant improvement to a mean of 12.35±3.75 (t=5.0089, p=0.0005) (Table 1).
The encountered complications were temporary and related to postoperative dry throat, and inability to clear the throat. Dysphagia showed early worsening but it improved completely at three months postoperatively and remained throughout the follow-up period (Table 2).