Abstract
Introduction Supracricoid partial laryngectomy is a surgical treatment for advanced laryngeal
cancer which is implemented to preserve organ function, but it may cause obstructive
sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) due to anatomical changes after surgery that may be neglected
by clinicians.
Although the gold standard for the diagnosis of OSAS is polysomnography, respiratory
polygraphy is an alternative valid method with a high level of diagnostic sensitivity
and specificity; since the equipment is portable, it can be used at home, with no
need for hospitalization.
Objective To describe the polygraphy result of patients submitted to supracricoid partial laryngectomy.
Methods The present study included 13 patients, and we collected data on age, date of the
surgery, body mass index, cardiovascular risk factors, Epworth score, and apnea-hypopnea
index (AHI).
Results The 13 patients were all male, with a mean age of 62 years. As for the AHI, one patient
was classified as severe, six, as moderate, and three patients, as mild; moreover,
3 patients were simple snorers. While 77% of the sample presented OSAS, only 23% presented
symptoms of drowsiness.
Conclusion The study group, who underwent supracricoid partial laryngectomy, did not present
self-reported symptoms of OSAS. Nevertheless, polygraphy was a useful tool in this
group, and we recommend its systematic use after decannulation to avoid leaving OSAS
undiagnosed.
Level of evidence 4; case series study
Keywords
obstructive sleep apnea - partial laryngectomy - polygraphy
Bibliographical Record
Rosa Hernández-Sandemetrio, Natsuki Oishi, Tomás Chavero, Rafael Navarro, Isabel López,
Enrique Zapater. Home Respiratory Polygraphy to Detect Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
after Supracricoid Partial Laryngectomy. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2025; 29: s00441801791.
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1801791
