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Laser Assisted Uvulotpalatoplasty (LAUP)
Laser Assisted Uvulotpalatoplasty (LAUP) This was established
by Kamami (9) in 1990 to reduce the
vibratory component of the soft palate and uvula, and hence diminish
snoring. The uvula and portions of the distal soft palate are removed
with a C02 laser in an out-patient setting. It is done in stages
by some and as a single procedure by others. Results achieved for
snoring are 96% bed partner satisfaction, with elimination or virtual
elimination of snoring in 69% (24).
Post operative pain for about two weeks requires analgesia in most,
narcotic analgesia in some, and limits lifestyle and productivity
in a few.
Possible risks have been described relating to narcotics (4) used
post operatively, and smoke plume (5).
Complications relate to muscle excision and rarely affect voice
and swallowing (13,14,19,24). Some
long-term results show relapse (21)
but this may relate to the surgical technique used. At the Sleep
Surgery Centre a once-only procedure, taking all the redundant
tissue
which may safely be removed, is offered: audit of our five to six
year post operative cases suggest that with this technique there
is no significant relapse rate.
References List
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