---
title: Study of Effects of Sutures on Results of Palate Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
nct_id: NCT00205543
overall_status: COMPLETED
phase: NA
sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
primary_condition: Obstructive Sleep Apnea
countries: United States
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT00205543.md"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00205543"
ct_last_update_post_date: 2012-06-21
last_seen_at: "2026-05-12T06:46:51.113Z"
source: ClinicalTrials.gov (mirrored, no enrichment)
---
# Study of Effects of Sutures on Results of Palate Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

**Official Title:** Role of Suture Closure in Post-Operative Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty Outcomes

**NCT ID:** [NCT00205543](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00205543)

## Key Facts

- **Status:** COMPLETED
- **Phase:** NA
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Target Enrollment:** 16
- **Lead Sponsor:** Virginia Commonwealth University
- **Conditions:** Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- **Start Date:** 2004-07
- **Completion Date:** 2008-12
- **CT.gov Last Update:** 2012-06-21

## Brief Summary

In this study we will examine whether suture repair of the palate, or roof of mouth, has any effect on results of palate surgery performed for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

## Detailed Description

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, or UPPP, is the most common surgical procedure performed for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The procedure involves removal of redundant tissue from the lower palate (roof of mouth), including the uvula, and then suturing the cut edges of the remaining tissue together. However it is frequently noted by surgeons that sutures placed in the roof of the mouth do not stay intact. Also, in standard tonsillectomy, which involves removal of the tonsils and thus creation of a wound near the palate, no suturing is used, which does not seem to affect how the area heals. Previous studies have shown no significant differences in complication rates, post-operative pain, or symptom outcomes in patients undergoing tonsillectomy either with or without suture repair of the tonsillectomy wound. In this study we will examine whether suture repair following UPPP has any effect on post-operative pain, healing, or treatment success in terms of symptom resolution or post-operative sleep study results.

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 21 Years
- **Sex:** ALL
- **Healthy Volunteers:** No

```
Inclusion Criteria:

* sleep-study documented obstructive sleep apnea
* sleep apnea refractory to non-surgical treatments including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
* age \> 21

Exclusion Criteria:

* previous palate surgery
```

## Arms

- **1** (EXPERIMENTAL) — suture palate after resection
- **2** (EXPERIMENTAL) — suture one side of palate afer resection
- **3** (EXPERIMENTAL) — no sutures in palate after resection

## Interventions

- **uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with or without sutures** (PROCEDURE) — standard UPPP

## Primary Outcomes

- **sleep study result at 3-6 months; symptom changes at 3-6 months; pain at 0-3 weeks; post-operative complications at any time; post-operative anatomic result/appearance at 3-6 months** _(time frame: 6-12mo)_

## Secondary Outcomes

- **Operative time** _(time frame: immediate)_
- **Procedure cost** _(time frame: immediate)_

## Locations (1)

- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States

## Recent Field Changes (last 30 days)

- `status.overallStatus` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.primaryCompletionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.completionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.lastUpdatePostDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.phases` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.enrollmentCount` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.criteria` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.minAge` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.sex` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.primary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.secondary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.arms` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.interventions` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `sponsor.lead` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `results.hasResults` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.department of otolaryngology - head & neck surgery, virginia commonwealth university|richmond|virginia|united states` — added _(2026-05-12)_

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT00205543.md*  
*Source data (authoritative): https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00205543*  
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