Study of Effects of Sutures on Results of Palate Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Role of Suture Closure in Post-Operative Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty Outcomes

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT00205543

Enrollment

Registered

2005-09-20

Start date

2004-07-31

Completion date

2008-12-31

Last updated

2012-06-21

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Keywords

obstructive sleep apnea, airway obstruction, sleep-disordered breathing

Brief summary

In this study we will examine whether suture repair of the palate, or roof of mouth, has any effect on results of palate surgery performed for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

Detailed description

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, or UPPP, is the most common surgical procedure performed for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The procedure involves removal of redundant tissue from the lower palate (roof of mouth), including the uvula, and then suturing the cut edges of the remaining tissue together. However it is frequently noted by surgeons that sutures placed in the roof of the mouth do not stay intact. Also, in standard tonsillectomy, which involves removal of the tonsils and thus creation of a wound near the palate, no suturing is used, which does not seem to affect how the area heals. Previous studies have shown no significant differences in complication rates, post-operative pain, or symptom outcomes in patients undergoing tonsillectomy either with or without suture repair of the tonsillectomy wound. In this study we will examine whether suture repair following UPPP has any effect on post-operative pain, healing, or treatment success in terms of symptom resolution or post-operative sleep study results.

Interventions

PROCEDUREuvulopalatopharyngoplasty with or without sutures

standard UPPP

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

21 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* sleep-study documented obstructive sleep apnea * sleep apnea refractory to non-surgical treatments including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) * age \> 21

Exclusion criteria

* previous palate surgery

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
sleep study result at 3-6 months; symptom changes at 3-6 months; pain at 0-3 weeks; post-operative complications at any time; post-operative anatomic result/appearance at 3-6 months	6-12mo

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Operative time	immediate
Procedure cost	immediate

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026