Further evaluation of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in the treatment of XXXX .

@entity1 @entity387 @entity26 @entity27 @entity1167 @entity25 @entity386
Since its introduction in 1981 uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) has become an alternative surgical approach to permanent tracheostomy in treating @entity27 ( @entity27 ). However, the criteria for selecting candidates for this procedure are unclear and the prediction of a positive response remains an enigma. This article presents the experience with UPPPs performed on 35 @entity1 who had moderate to severe @entity27 . Criteria for @entity1 selection included @entity386 severity, @entity1167 , and clinical symptomatology. All but two @entity1 demonstrated clinical improvement, although there was considerable variability in the degree of response. @entity1 were classified as good or poor responders on the basis of the severity index (SI), which represents the number of @entity386 and @entity387 per hour of sleep resulting in @entity26 saturation below 85%. A greater than 50% improvement in the SI was considered a good response. Twenty-three @entity1 (65.7%) were good responders and the remaining 12 (34.3%) were poor responders. The need for permanent tracheostomy was obviated in 16 of 32 @entity1 presenting with disabling @entity25 or severe @entity1167 . Therefore it appears that UPPP is useful for treating most @entity27 @entity1 .
