[The use of the continuous positive air pressure method for treating the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].

11 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) were treated by CPAP method for 10 nights. The principle of the method is the prevention of the upper airways closure episodes during sleep (the sleep apnea episodes) using continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) maintained in the patients' airways for the whole sleep time. After the treatment the basic symptoms disappeared in most of the patients who had also improved their general condition. It is shown that CPAP is more effective in patients with marked OSAS. The latter needs long-term CPAP therapy, because the symptoms may come back within 2-3 weeks after discontinuation of the treatment.