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Vessel Sealing System Uvulopalatoplasty Versus Uvulopalatal Flap

Vessel Sealing System Uvulopalatoplasty vs Uvulopalatal Flap: a Randomized, Control Study of Efficacy and Adverse Effects

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00806637
Enrollment
30
Registered
2008-12-11
Start date
2008-10-31
Completion date
2009-09-30
Last updated
2008-12-11

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

Conditions

Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Snoring

Keywords

Vessel sealing system, uvulopalatoplasty, UPPP, uvulopalatal flap, bleeding, operative time, adverse effects

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to compare vessel sealing system uvulopalatoplasty (VSSU) to the traditional uvulopalatal flap (UPF) in the treatment of sleep-disordered breathing with special regard to intraoperative bleeding, operative time, postoperative pain, postoperative hemorrhage and other adverse effects.

Detailed description

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is one of the common procedures performed by otolaryngologists to treat sleep-disordered breathing patients who have retropalatal obstruction. Intraoperative bleeding is a significant problem which requires hemostasis and causes prolonged operative time. Several different techniques are used to perform this operation, including cold knife, monopolar cautery, coblation, and radiofrequency. Efficacy in hemostasis and tissue trauma from different operative techniques may result in different operative time and different degrees of morbidity including intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain, postoperative hemorrhage, and velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). The vessel sealing system has been widely used in head and neck surgery because of its effectiveness and safety. It was also found quite effective and safe in tonsillectomy procedures, providing excellent hemostasis and minimal tissue trauma.

Interventions

PROCEDUREVessel sealing system uvulopalatoplasty (VSSU)

Vessel sealing system uvulopalatoplasty (VSSU) is a new technique for uvulopalatoplasty using a special biclamp forceps for better hemostasis control. Vessel sealing system (VSS) is a bipolar vascular sealing system, with integrated active feedback control. The tissue is grasped and compressed by the handpiece. After the instrument is removed, the seal is visible as a semitransparent window, which can safely be divided. Uvular tip is grasped with an Allis clamp and retracted back toward the soft palate. Excision of the uvula and the redundant part of soft palate is performed by the VSS handpiece. VSS is also used for hemostasis.

PROCEDUREUvulopalatal flap (UPF)

Uvulopalatal flap (UPF) is a standard uvulopalatoplasty technique. Uvulopalatal flap is usually performed as described originally by Powell et al. The soft palate was injected with 5 to 10 milliliters of 1% lidocaine with epinephrine solution. The mucosa, submucosa with glands, and fat on the lingual surface of the uvula and soft palate were removed with a scalpel. Bleeding was controlled with bipolar electrocoagulation. The uvular tip was amputated, and reflected back toward the soft palate, and fixated into its new position with multiple sutures of 3-0 chromic catgut.

Sponsors

Chulalongkorn University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patient planned for uvulopalatoplasty for indications of snoring or obstructive sleep apnea * Written informed consent form is given from patient

Exclusion criteria

* Pregnancy * History of bleeding disorders * Patient unable to understand evaluation method * Patient unable to be contacted via telephone

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
intraoperative blood losswithin the first 1 hour after surgery starting time

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
operative timewithin the first 1 hour after surgery starting time
postoperative painwithin the first 14 days after surgery
postoperative bleedingwithin the first 14 days after surgery
postoperative velopharyngeal insufficiencywithin the first 3 months after surgery

Countries

Thailand

Outcome results

None listed

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