LASER-ASSISTED UVULOPALATOPLASTY - AN ASSESSMENT OF A TECHNIQUE

The Kamami technique of laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty has recently been introduced into British practice as an office-based multistage pr ocedure for the treatment of snoring and, in certain cases, for obstru ctive sleep apnoea. We have treated 50 patients with simple snoring, w ith a minimum follow-up of six months. Six-month telephone interview f ollow-up has assessed partner and patient satisfaction, as well as wil lingness to undergo the procedure again. We have found the procedure e asy to perform with no serious intra-operative complications. Thirty-f our (68 per cent) of patients' partners have been definitely satisfied with the results of treatment, with 11 (22 per cent) definitely unsat isfied. However, only 25 of these 34 satisfied patients (76 per cent) would be prepared to undergo the treatment again with postoperative pa in and discomfort cited as the reason in those who would not. The fail ure, rate doubled between one and six months post-operatively. There h ave been no serious complications but a 40 per cent minor side-effect rate is noted. These results are discussed in the context of previousl y reported results, with consideration of future strategies to improve outcome.