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Re: Alternative to CPAP

Posted by sleepy-in-seattle on July 19, 2005 at 08:07:29:

In Reply to: Re: Alternative to CPAP posted by Charlotte NC on July 19, 2005 at 04:16:46:

I totally agree that most or all OSA has multiple causes. No doubt the upper airway can have a significant impact, and in some people, may be the dominant factor.

My own UPPP *was* a success - for about a year. After that, I reverted to pre-surgery levels. I think that is what many find so disappointing.

I seem to remember that Seattlebill had done some review of the literature on UPPP and found that the long-term success (defined as some significant apnea reduction, not always cure) was less than 30%.

Again, in my case, I had upper airway issues - my nose was congested and restricted. This was handled permanently by a turbinate reduction. The result was like night and day - it was heaven I had to relearn how to breathe through my nose.

I agree that it makes no sense to treat jaw and tongue issues without also addressing upper airway issues. And MMA should only be recommended in cases where the physiology supports its use.

UPPP has been treated as a *standard* procedure for quite awhile. I just think it should be only used when appropriate. I'd like to hear more people posting, "My surgeon reviewed my case and determined that a septoplasty would help my upper airway, but there was no particular uvulopalatal obstruction, so he decided that a UPPP was not needed."

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