Management of nasopharyngeal stenosis after uvulopalatoplasty

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the management of nasopharyngeal stenosis (NPS) with the CO(2) laser and a customized nasopharyngeal obturator. STUDY DESIGN: An 8-year retrospective study based at a tertiary care teaching hospital consisting of 18 patients with NPS after uvulopalatoplasty treated over an 8-year period with the CO(2) laser and a nasopharyngeal obturator. Patients with grade I stenosis were treated in the office and did not require a nasopharyngeal obturator. More severe cases (grades II and III) were treated in the operating room and required a nasopharyngeal obturator. RESULTS: Eighteen patients with NPS, stages I to III, were treated with a CO(2) laser with or without a nasopharyngeal obturator with good results. CONCLUSION: The repair of NPS with a CO(2) laser and a nasopharyngeal obturator in severe cases helps in restoring nasopharyngeal patency. SIGNIFICANCE: This technique provided a reliable method of correcting postuvulopalatoplasty NPS.