Surgical techniques for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) constantly evolve. This study aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of a new surgical approach for an OSAS pharyngoplasty with a dorsal palatal flap expansion (PDPFEx). A total of 21 participants (mean age 49.9; mean BMI 32.5) underwent a type III sleep study, an endoscopy of the upper airways, a filled medical history, a visual analog scale for snoring loudness, an Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and a Short Form Health Survey-36 questionnaire. A follow-up re-evaluation was performed 11 ± 4.9 months post-operatively. The study group (4 with moderate, 17 with severe OSAS) showed an improvement in all measured sleep study characteristics (
p < 0.05), apnea-hypopnea index (pre-median 45.7 to 29.3 post-operatively,
p = 0.009,
r = 0.394), oxygen desaturation index (pre-median 47.7 and 23.3 post-operatively,
p = 0.0005,
r = 0.812), mean oxygen saturation (median 92% pre-operatively and median 94% post-operatively,
p = 0.0002,
r = 0.812), lowest oxygen saturation (
p = 0.0001,
r = 0.540) and time of sleep spent with blood oxygen saturation less than 90% (
p = 0.0001,
r = 0.485). The most commonly reported complications were throat dryness (11 patients) and minor difficulties in swallowing (5 patients transient, 3 patients constant). We conclude that a PDPFEx is a promising new surgical method; however, further controlled studies are needed to demonstrate its safety and efficacy for OSAS treatment in adults.
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