Long-term Complications after Multilevel Surgery for Sleep-related Breathing Disorders

Multi-site collapse of the upper airway in sleep-related breathing disorders can be treated with multilevel surgery. Multilevel surgery is defined as simultaneous interventions at two or more levels of the upper respiratory tract. The aim of the present study is to analyse long-term complications of multi-level surgery with or without hyoid suspension. A group of 192 patients with multilevel surgery with hyoid suspension and 79 patients with multilevel surgery without hyoid suspension were followed prospectively at 3, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. We used a questionnaire asking for foreign body sensation, disorders of swallowing, speech disorders, taste disorders, undesired weight loss and pain. The answers were given in a yes/no mode, severity was not graded. Foreign body sensation was the most common complication after multilevel surgery with and without hyoid suspension. Hyoid suspension did not contribute to a higher complication rate. All undesired side effects were reduced with time except swallowing disorders.