[Effects of functional septoplasty in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of functional septoplasty in a group of patients with septal dysmorphy and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

PATIENTS AND METHOD: 34 patients with nasal respiratory insufficiency and chronic snore were included from 1997 to 2003. All of them were diagnosed of OSAS by nocturnal polysomnography (PSG) and of septal dysmorphy by ORL physical examination. Patients were clinically followed-up at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. PSG was also evaluated at 6 months postsurgery.

RESULTS: A significant objective reduction of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (45.8 vs 31.9), severity of OSAS, and minimal mean oxygen saturation (76.4 to 83.1) was found. Moreover, we observed a significant improvement of subjective scales of sleepiness (13 vs 6) and the patients' satisfaction degree (72% of patients improved).

CONCLUSIONS: Functional septoplasty is an effective treatment in patients with OSAS and septal dysmorphy.