Change in Epworth Sleepiness Scale after Surgical Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Retrospective Study

Background: The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among screened Saudi adults is 8.8%. It extends beyond sleep, lowering quality of life, and increasing the risk of injury and is associated with several comorbidities. Nonetheless, alternative treatments are needed if continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) fails. Methods: This retrospective study presents preliminary findings on changes in Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores among 11 patients with OSA after barbed reposition pharyngoplasty (BRP). Each patient completed the ESS at baseline and at 6-month postoperative follow-up. Results: The average ESS score decreased by 7.05 points, from 14.5 ± 6.35 preoperatively to 7.45 ± 6.92 postoperatively (95% confidence interval: 3.66–10.34; P = 0.012). No patients remained in the severe daytime sleepiness category, and most fell within the normal range. A modest reduction in body mass index was observed after surgery, which may reflect improved overall health status; however, causality cannot be established. Conclusions: In this small retrospective series, patients undergoing BRP with adjunctive procedures showed significant improvements in subjective daytime sleepiness. These preliminary findings suggest that BRP may be a beneficial option for carefully selected CPAP-intolerant patients, but larger prospective studies with objective outcome measures are needed to establish its efficacy.