OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Z-palatopharyngoplasty plus radiofrequency of the base of the tongue on middle ear function. DESIGN: A retrospective review of a prospective data set at a tertiary care center. SETTING: University-affiliated medical center. @entity1 : The study population included 47 @entity1 (42 @entity1 and 5 @entity1 ; mean age, 40.8 years) who underwent Z-palatopharyngoplasty plus radiofrequency of the base of the tongue for obstructive @entity27 . All @entity1 had healthy eardrums and no previous history of @entity2169 . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pure-tone audiometric and tympanometric assessments were performed preoperatively and at 3 days, 7 days, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. Levels of baseline and postoperative middle ear pressure were compared. RESULTS: Twelve @entity1 (26%) reported otologic concerns, such as ear pressure and/or @entity7867 , within 1 week postoperatively. No permanent otologic discomfort occurred. A trend toward reduced middle ear pressure was noted in this study. The decrease in middle ear pressure became apparent on day 3. However, mean pressure changes were no longer significantly different than preoperative values by 1 week after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We found that Z-palatopharyngoplasty plus radiofrequency of the base of the tongue for obstructive @entity27 induces changes in middle ear function. However, the changes were temporary and not significant after 3 months of follow-up.

Effects of XXXX surgery on middle ear function.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['women', 'patients', 'PATIENTS', 'men'] @entity2169 :: ('MESH:D004427', 'Disease') :: ['chronic ear disease'] @entity7867 :: ('MESH:D004433', 'Disease') :: ['otalgia'] @entity27 :: ('MESH:D020181', 'Disease') :: ['sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome']
@entity27 :: (MESH:D020181,Disease) :: ['obstructive sleep apnea']
