CLINICAL STAGING FOR SLEEP-DISORDERED BREATHING: A GUIDE TO SURGICAL TREATMENT

摘要

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) remains the most common surgical procedure performed for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Although reported success rates vary considerably, meta-analysis of the data indicates a success rate of only 40%. In addition to the high failure rate, some studies have indicated that many of the patients who fail to improve actually become worse after UPPP. When results of surgical treatment are unpredictable for any disorder, clinical staging of the disorder offers several important benefits. Staging systems are created to identify those clinical features of a disease process that can predict prognosis and success of any particular treatment option. In addition, a staging system may help predict when single modality treatment is likely to succeed and, if not, when multiple modality or multiorgan treatment is indicated to improve prognosis.