[Clinical results of the surgical treatment of 1222 cases of chronic snoring].

Uvulopalatoplasty was performed (whether or not associated with tonsillectomy and/or septoplasty) in 1,222 cases of chronic rhonchopathy. Among them, 65 cases consisted of pre- and postoperatively registered sleep apnea syndrome. Clinical results were assessed on improvement of preoperative snoring, apneas, morning asthenia, daily sleepiness. Surgery was totally successful in 50% of cases, partially in 35%. Failure was encountered in 15% of cases. Failure or partial improvement are related to the preoperative presence of one or several of five particular risk factors: neck shortness, tongue hypertrophia, retrognathia, obesity and nasal pathology. Surgical complications were rare. Severe rhinolalia occurred in five cases: only three of them were sufficiently to accept plastic reconstruction which was successful.