LASER-ASSISTED UVULA-PALATOPLASTY FOR SNORING

Laser-assisted uvula-palatoplasty (LAUP) is a new and effective surgic al method for the elimination of habitual snoring. LAUP is safely perf ormed under local anesthesia in the office, and it provides progressiv e enlargement of the oropharyngeal air space by reshaping and restruct uring the uvula, soft palate, and pharyngeal pillars utilizing the CO2 laser with special attachments. LAUP can also reduce oropharyngeal ob struction that may occur during sleep in patients with obstructive sle ep apnea syndrome. Our experience includes over 335 patients evaluated and treated within the past year. Successive laser ablation of the vi brating structures, such as the uvula, soft palate, and posterior phar yngeal pillars, provided an 84% cure rate. In addition, 7% of the pati ents reported significant improvement in the loudness of their snore. The major advantage of this surgical technique is that it is a safe, s imple, reliable, and bloodless procedure that can be performed in the office. This method and the results of its use are discussed.