Snoring is caused by the vibration of the structures in the oral cavity—the soft palate, uvula, tonsils, base of the tongue, epiglottis, and lateral pharyngeal walls. These tissues that vibrate have been believed to collapse and cause airway obstruction under negative pressure in obstructive sleep apnea. It is well documented that the apneas and hypopneas occur when inspiratory transpharyngeal pressure exceeds the pharyngeal dilating muscle action [1]. Most authors concur that the pathophysiology of OSA lies within the balance of the box and the contents theory. The box, being the facial skeletal framework and the contents would refer to the soft tissues within the upper airway. Patients with adenotonsillar hypertrophy or obese patients with thick fatty redundant lateral pharyngeal walls have a crowded upper airway with very little space for airflow. Patients with retrognathia have a posteriorly displaced tongue, hence, increasing the likelihood of airway compromise during sleep.

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Lateral Pharyngoplasty in the Treatment of OSA

  • Kenny P. Pang,
  • Edward B. Pang,
  • Kathleen A. Pang

摘要

Snoring is caused by the vibration of the structures in the oral cavity—the soft palate, uvula, tonsils, base of the tongue, epiglottis, and lateral pharyngeal walls. These tissues that vibrate have been believed to collapse and cause airway obstruction under negative pressure in obstructive sleep apnea. It is well documented that the apneas and hypopneas occur when inspiratory transpharyngeal pressure exceeds the pharyngeal dilating muscle action [1]. Most authors concur that the pathophysiology of OSA lies within the balance of the box and the contents theory. The box, being the facial skeletal framework and the contents would refer to the soft tissues within the upper airway. Patients with adenotonsillar hypertrophy or obese patients with thick fatty redundant lateral pharyngeal walls have a crowded upper airway with very little space for airflow. Patients with retrognathia have a posteriorly displaced tongue, hence, increasing the likelihood of airway compromise during sleep.