Effect of surgical operation for nasal diseases on obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in aircrews

Objective To sum up the outcomes of surgical operation in aircrews with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome（OSAHS） and observe the effect of nasal diseases on OSAHS. Methods Thirty-two aircrews with OSAHS who underwent surgical treatment in our hospital in 2000-2011 were graded and typed with their outcomes assessed according to the standards formulated by Otorhinolaryngology Branch Society of Chinese Medical Association. Results Sixteen,7 and 9 patients were diagnosed with mild,moderate and severe OSAHS respectively according to their apnea hypopnea index（AHI） monitored by PSG,while 12,14 and 6 patients were diagnosed mild,moderate and severe OSAHS respectively and 21,8 and 3 patients were diagnosed with type I,type Ⅱ and type ⅣOSAHS respectively according to their hypoxemia before treatment.The AHI was significantly higher before treatment than after treatment（29.1%±21.4% vs 14.6%±11.3%,P＜0.01）.A significant difference was observed in the lowest SaO2 before and after treatment（79.1%±11.1% vs 83.6%±9.1%,P＜0.01）.The outcome of surgical operation was excellent in 10 patients（31.3%）,rather good in 15 patients（46.9%）,good in 4 patients（12.5%）,and poor in 3 patients（1 with mild OSAHS,2 with severe OSAHS,1 with type I OSAHS,1 with type ⅡOSAHS and 1 with type ⅣOSAHS）.The total effective rate was 90.6%.Of the 32 aircrews,30 were qualified for flying and 2 were temporarily grounded. Conclusion Mild,moderate and type I OSAHS are usually found in aircrews.The effective rate and re-flying rate are rather high for aircrews with OSAHS after surgical treatment.