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Panel Presentations

Sleep Medicine

Modified Palatopharyngoplasty Techniques: Why and How

Sunday, October 12, 2025
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM EDT
Location: 136
Disclosure(s):
Megan L. Durr, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Ryan S. Nord, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Ryan J. Soose, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Modified palatoplasty have replaced traditional UPPP techniques and have benefits of improved outcomes and reduced complications. Understanding the importance of palate soft tissue surgery is vital to a comprehensive sleep surgery practice. Palate surgery and its role in sleep apnea treatment counseling and evidence of its expected outcomes and long term health benefits will be discussed. Techniques and tips for expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty and barbed suture reposition pharyngoplasty will be demonstrated.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Understand the history of UPPP and updated evidence on health risk reduction and outcomes with palatopharyngoplasty surgeries. Update on the reasons for current modifications to the traditional UPPP approaches: expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty and barbed suture pharyngoplasty.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Discuss expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty concepts and techniques and review the data on outcomes.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Present barbed suture pharyngoplasty techniques and evidence on outcomes.

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: We are in an era for growth of sleep surgery. We are seeing many practices and otolaryngologists who ONLY OFFER hypoglossal nerve implants for sleep apnea. There is STRONG evidence that UPPP can reduce health risks. Surgeons should be updated on improved techniques for palate soft tissue surgery.

Comprehensive Otolaryngology Track Statement : Both Dr. Durr and Chang work as general comprehensive otolaryngologists. Understanding how to counsel patients on the benefits of palatopharyngoplasty surgery and expected outcomes is important to the management of OSA. Tonsillectomy and its role in OSA disease for adults will be reviewed.

    Moderator(s)

  • JC

    Jolie L. Chang, MD

    Professor
    University of California, San Francisco
    San Francisco, California, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

    • Panelist(s)

  • Megan L. Durr, MD

    Professor
    University of California - San Francisco
    San Francisco, California, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

  • Ryan S. Nord, MD

    Director of Sleep Surgery
    Virginia Commonwealth University
    Richmond, VA, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

  • Ryan J. Soose, MD

    Associate Professor
    Univ of Pittsburgh
    Pittsburgh, PA, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.