Objective: The aim of the study is to determine whether there is a correlation between the examinations of patients investigated for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) and the percentage of narrowing in the Müller Maneuver with the Apnea-Hypopnea Index result and OSAS severity.

Material-Method: 100 patients diagnosed with OSAS at the Ankara University Medical Faculty Department of Otolarygology between 2020-2021 were included in the study and the data were obtained from the examination records and files filled for patients who underwent polysomnography. In the flexible nasopharyngoscopy records, a screenshots of the widest area (Initial Area) was taken at the beginning of the Müller Maneuver and the area that narrowed during the maneuver was taken (Müller Maneuver Area). Bitmap images were analyzed using ImageJ, a Java image processing program derived from NIH Image. A single researcher analyzed each image three times and air passage areas were calculated using Image J program based on the fixed value of the endoscopy diameter.

Results:When the percentage of narrowing in the Müller maneuver and the AHI results of the entire patient group were evaluated, it was found that r=0.606 (Correlation Coefficient), p<0.001, in male patients r=0.611 (Correlation Coefficient), p<0.001, and in female patients r=0.588 (Correlation Coefficient), p<0.001. In the group with mild OSAS (5 ≤ AHI <15), r=0.392 (Correlation Coefficient), p=0.018, and in severe OSAS (AHI ≥ 30), r=0.490 (Correlation Coefficient), p=0.015. It was found to be statistically significant.

Conclusion: The Müller maneuver was established on a more objective basis using the Image J program, and as a result of the measurements, it was seen that the AHI value increased as the percentage of narrowing increased.

No