• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.81-85
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• 2011

The uvulopalatal flap (UPF) technique is a modification of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) for the surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. In the UPF technique, an uvulopalatal flap is fabricated and sutured to the residual mucosa of the soft palate to expand the antero-posterior dimensions of the oropharyngeal inlet. In the extended uvulopalatal flap (EUPF) technique, an incision at the tonsillar fossa is added to the classical UPF technique followed by the removal of mucosa and submucosal adipose tissue for additional expansion of the lateral dimension. The EUPF technique is more conservative and reversible than UPPP. Therefore, complications, such as velopharyngeal insufficiency, dysphagia, dryness, nasopharyngeal stenosis and postoperative pain, are reduced. In the following case report, the patient was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and treated with the EUPF technique. The patient's total respiratory disturbance events per hour (RDI) was decreased to 15.4, the $O_2$ saturation during the sleep was increased, and the excessive daytime sleepiness had disappeared after the surgery without complications. The authors report this case with a review of the relevant literature.

• 대한치과의사협회지
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.219-226
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• 2011

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are common sleep disordered breathing conditions. Habitual snoring is caused by a vibration of soft tissue of upper airway while breath in sleeping, and obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the repeated obstructions of airflow for a sleeping, specially airflow of pharynx. Researchers have shown that snoring is the most important symptom connected with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome The treatment is directed toward improving the air flow by various surgical and nonsurgical methods. The current surgical procedures used are uvulopalatopharyngoplasty(UPPP), orthognathic surgery, nasal cavity surgery. Among the nonsurgical methods there are nasal continuous positive air pressure(CPAP), pharmacologic therapy. weight loss in obese patient, oral appliance(sleep splint). Sleep splint brings the mandible forward in order to increase upper airway volume and prevents total upper airway collapse during sleep. However, the precise mechanism of action is not yet completely understood, especially aerodynamic factor. The aim of this study evaluated the effect of conservative treatment of snoring and OSAS by sleep splint through measured aerodynamic change by an aerophone II. We measured a airflow, sound pressure level, duration, mean power from overall airflow by aerophone II mask. The results indicated that on a positive correlation between a decrease in maximum airflow rate and a decrease in maximum sound pressure level, on a negative correlation between a decrease in maximum airflow rate and a increase in duration.

• 대한치과교정학회지
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.202-213
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• 2008

본 연구는 비만도에 따른 한국인 남성 폐쇄성수면무호흡 환자의 측모 두부 방사선계측학적 특성을 파악하기 위하여 시행되었다. 이를 위하여 계명대학교 의과대학 동산의료원 수면클리닉에 수면장애를 주소로 내원하여 수면다원검사 후 치과에서 측모 두부방사선계측사진 촬영을 한 87명의 성인 환자들을 체질량지수(BMI)와 수면무호흡지수(AHI)에 따라 비비만 단순코골이군(Non-obese, simple snorers), 비만 단순코골이군(Obese, simple snorers), 비비만 수면무호흡군(Non-obese, OSA patients), 비만 수면무호흡군(Obese, OSA patients)의 4군으로 나누어 비교하였다. 그 결과, 4군 중 비만 수면무호흡군의 수면무호흡지수가 가장 컸으며, 비만 수면무호흡군보다 비비만 수면무호흡군의 하악각이 더 크고 혀 길이는 더 작았다. 또한, 비비만 수면무호흡군보다 비만수면무호흡군의 설골이 더 전하방에 위치하였고, 수면무호흡지수에 영향을 미치는 기여 인자는 비만 수면무호흡군에서는 혀 길이, 비비만 수면무호흡군에서는 설골의 후방위치였다. 이처럼 비만 수면무호흡 환자와 비비만 수면무호흡 환자의 측모 두부방사선계측학적 특성과 기여 인자가 다르게 나타나므로, 치료방법도 따라서 다르게 선택해야 할 것이다. 비만 수면무호흡 환자들에게는 먼저 체중감량이 권고되어야 할 것이고, 비비만 수면무호흡 환자들은 폐쇄부위에 따라 구강 내 장치나 Nasal CPAP(continuous positive airway pressure), UPPP (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) 등이 추천될 수 있을 것이다.