Barbed pharyngoplasty (BP) as a single-level or multi-level surgery represents a safe, effective procedure for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and palatal obstruction, according to findings published in the American Journal of Otolaryngology. Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of BP that included 20 articles with 762 patients. Mean surgical time was 23 minutes. With a median follow-up of 6 months, BP success as a single-level surgery was 85.2%. There was a significant decrease in oxygen desaturation index (ODI) of −11.7; the lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT) improved by 8.9%. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS, −6.8) and snoring score ( −5.3) significantly decreased. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) also significantly decreased (−23.9 events/hour), for a 69% reduction. A significant improvement for AHI, ODI, ESS, and LSAT was seen with BP as a multi-level surgery. Complications included suture extrusion (18%), dysphagia (20%), velopharyngeal insufficiency (15%), and dysgeusia (3%).
