Abstract
Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is an effective surgical procedure for the elimination of loud, habitualsnoring. LAUP is performed under local anesthesia in a physician's office or an ambulatory surgery center and uses the CO<sub>2</sub> laser to enlarge the oropharyngeal air space by reshaping and restructuring the uvula, velum, and pharyngeal pillars. LAUP can also reduce the severity of obstructed breathing that occurs during sleep in patients with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS). Based on experience with over 500 patients whom we evaluated and treated during the past 2 years, LAUP is a simple, reliable, and efficacious procedure. Proper preoperative selection of patients and adequate assessment of all potential stenosis site(s) yielded a cure rate of 86%. Of the remaining patients, 7% reported significant reduction in their snoring loudness. The rationale, procedure, and clinical outcome pertaining to LAUP are addressed.
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