Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is prevalent in the Indian subcontinent. In a large number of patients conductive deafness due to eustachian tube dysfunction has been found. The present study was, therefore, planned to assess the histopathological changes in palatal and paratubal muscles in oral submucous fibrosis. Incisional biopsy from the soft palate was taken in clinically proven cases of OSMF. In most of the cases, signs of chronic inflammation and fibrosis were seen in the submucosa. Dysplasia was noticed in seven (13.2 per cent) patients. Degenerative changes in palatal/paratubal muscles were found in the form of loss of cross striations in seven (13.2 per cent), oedematous muscle fibres in five (9.4 per cent) and atrophy in five (9.4 per cent) cases. It was concluded that there was definite involvement of palatal and paratubal muscles in OSMF. This could explain the eustachian tube dysfunction in these patients.

Forty patients above the age of 40 years with oral submucous fibrosis were studied to determine the frequency and severity of snoring. The results were compared with a controlled group of similar sex and age for presence of snoring. The present study indicates that patients with oral submucous fibrosis having a short and fixed uvula and scarred soft palate are less likely to develop snoring. Thus it is suggested that in laser surgery or in classical uvulopalatopharyngeal surgery, the uvula and soft palate should be reduced in size and volume to the extent of that found in oral submucous fibrosis.