Comparison of postoperative pain between laser-assisted uvolopalatoplasty,uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, and radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction of the palate

OBJECTIVES: This study compares the posttreatment discomfort between laser- assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP), uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), and ra diofrequency volumetric tissue reduction (RFVTR) of the palate through the use of visual analog pain scales and a quantitative assessment of the analg esic medication taken. METHODS: In one group, LAUP (n = 10) or UPPP (n = 9) was used to treat pati ents' snoring or sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), and the of her group und erwent RFVTR (n = 22). RESULTS: The mean numbers of days with pain after RFVTR, LAUP, and UPPP wer e 2.6, 13.8, and 14.3 days, respectively Narcotic analgesics were required in the RFVTR, LAUP, and UPPP groups in 9%, 100%, and 100% of the subjects, respectively. The mean number of these days requiring narcotic pain medicat ions for RFVTR, LAUP; and UPPP was 0.2, 11.8, and 12.4 days, whereas the to tal narcotic equivalent was 0.3, 7.4 and 29.6 days, respectively. CONCLUSION: RFVTR of the soft palate produced less posttreatment pain than LAUP or UPPP. LAUP and UPPP appeared to show little difference in the sever ity or duration of posttreatment discomfort.