임상연구 : 폐쇄성 수면 무호흡증 환자의 구개인두성형술 후 회복실에서의 자세변화에 따른 후인두 기도 공간 변화

Background: Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is one of the most common treatments for patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) who suffer from repetitive apnea and oxygen desaturation during sleep. It is important to properly manage the patient`s airway in the PACU after surgery in order to prevent potential airway-related postoperative complications. Methods: 20 patient cases of ASA I or II who were over 20 years old and had undergone UPPP under general anesthesia were reviewed. In PACU, Posterior pharyngeal airway space (PAS) was measured on a lateral cranial radiograph at both supine and sitting positions and the blood pressure and oxygen saturation were measured. Results: PAS significantly increased in the sitting position (avg. 11.7 mm in supine, 15.7 mm in sitting, P＜0.05) but there was no influence on the blood pressure or oxygen saturation. Conclusions: PAS is associated with the patency of the airway and the increase of PAS in patients in the sitting position while in the PACU is helpful to airway management following UPPP.