One Stage Multilevel Surgery for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a very frequent and increasingly recognized major health problem [1]. OSAS may result in cardiovascular diseases, quality of life deficits and performance deficits from loss of alertness [2-5]. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is considered the gold standard for the primary treatment of moderate to severe OSAS [6]. However, the therapeutic use of nasal CPAP is seriously limited by low long-term compliance [7]. The surgical approach is still the most common OSAS treatment method and varieties of surgical techniques have been well-described in managing OSAS. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and radio frequency-induced thermotherapy (RFITT) of the soft palate have been widely used for the treatment of velopharyngeal obstruction in OSAS [8,9].