Safety of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty as outpatient surgery

OBJECTIVE: Determine the admission rate and characterize the complications in uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) patients scheduled to have outpafient surgery. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective review of patients undergoing UPPP between 2000 and 2004 in a tertiary care setting. RESULTS: UPPP alone or in conjunction with tonsillectomy, septoplasty, or supraglottoplasty was carried out in 110 patients. Average preoperative respiratory disturbance index (RDI) was 35. Admission was required in 20 (18%) patients whereas 90 (82%) were discharged on the day of surgery. Admission due to desaturation was noted in 3 (3%) patients. The most common reasons for admission included pain and nausea. There were no major complications. CONCLUSIONS: Careful preoperative selection of patients should permit many patients to undergo UPPP as outpatient surgery. Factors requiring admission may be assessed in the early postoperative period. The rate of respiratory events requiring postoperative admission after UPPP is low. SIGNIFICANCE: UPPP can be carried out safely on an outpatient basis. EBM rating: C-4 (c) 2006 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.