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Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty for snoring: does it meet the expectations?

¹ Otorrinolaringology Service, ² Institut Clínic Pneumologia i Cirurgia Toràcica, Hospital Clínic, and ³ Unitat d'Epidemiologia i Bioestadística and Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

CORRESPONDENCE: J.M. Montserrat, Sleep Unit, Institut Clínic Pneumologia i Cirurgia Toràcica, Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain. Fax: 34 932275746. E-mail: jcanal@medicina.ub.es

Keywords: One-stage laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty, palate surgery, sleep apnoea syndrome

Received: July 16, 2003
Accepted January 24, 2004

This work was supported REDRESPIRA-ISCIII-RTIC-03/11 and Sociedad Española Patologia Aparato Respiratorio.

The high prevalence of habitual snoring (35% of the general population) and the increasing demand for an effective treatment have led, in the last decade, to the generalisation of laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP). However, acceptable studies on its effectiveness are lacking.

The present randomised, placebo-controlled study included 25 nonapnoeic and mild obstructive sleep apnoea snorers to evaluate LAUP effectiveness for snoring. Group I received a one-stage LAUP treatment and group II a placebo (simulated snore surgery followed by an oral placebo). Before each treatment and 3 months after, the variables and procedures assessed were: body weight; sleepiness (Epworth sleepiness scale); quality of life (SF-36); subjective snoring intensity (0–10 analogue scale); objective snoring intensity (average decibel intensity); snoring index (number of snores per hour); and apnoea/hypopnea index.

No differences were observed in body weight, sleepiness, quality of life, subjective and objective intensity, and frequency of snoring, and apnoea/hypopnea index between the groups before and 3 months after treatment.

In conclusion, this study provides evidence of the lack of effectiveness of one-stage laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty for snoring in nonapnoeic and mild obstructive sleep apnoea patients, with the result that it does not meet the expectations generated by the procedure.