SNARE UVULOPALATOPLASTY

Single-stage outpatient treatment of snoring with snare dissection uvu lopalatoplasty (UPP) has been developed and found to be safe and effec tive. Single-stage snare dissection UPP (SUPP) was performed on 25 hab itual loud snorers with readily available instrumentation in an ambula tory setting. Fourteen had associated septoplasty. When only SUPP was performed, local and topical anesthesia and minimal oral premedication were used in most cases. No significant immediate or delayed bleeding occurred. Postoperative discomfort persisted for 3 to 12 days and req uired only oral analgesics. No postoperative complications occurred. N inety-one percent of patients reported satisfactory reduction or elimi nation of snoring after surgery. Preoperative and postoperative acoust ic analysis of sleeping respiration (SNAP testing) was used to documen t the effects of SUPP in eight patients. SUPP is a safe, cost-effectiv e method of treating patients with habitual snoring.