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| Laser Assisted Uvula Palatoplasty |  Approximately 45% of normal adults snore at least form time to time, and 25% are habitual snorers. The problem of snoring is more frequent in males and overweight persons. Snoring usually get worse with age. It is caused by an obstruction to the free flow of air through the passages at the back of the mouth and nose.
Recent studies have proved that snoring has the adverse medical effects and associated with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS). Various methods are used to lessen snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
What is It?
Laser Assisted Uvula Palatoplasty is a technique that uses lasers to perform surgery for snoring and mild OSA. It is performed by removing the obstruction in your airway in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia. A laser is used to evaporate the uvula and a required portion of the palate in a set of small procedures. During LAUP you have to sit upright in an examination chair.
Before this procedure you will be given a local anesthesia that is sprayed over the back oral cavity, soft palate, tonsils, and uvula. Besides, an injection of additional anesthesia in the muscle layer of the uvula is given. After anesthesia the back of your throat will become numb and that you will lose the sensation of swallowing and breathing. After several minutes, a CO2 laser is used to make vertical incisions in the palate on both sides of the uvula. The uvula is shortened, in such way it eliminate the obstruction that has contributed to the snoring.
The treatment with LAUP requires up to five procedures spaced four to eight weeks apart, sometimes one to three are enough.
If you undergo the LAUP procedure you can expect to return to the usual schedule almost immediately. For the first time during swallowing you will fill pain similar to a severe sore throat. This discomfort lasts for about ten days and can be relieved by oral analgesic and anti¬inflammatory medicines.
Should You Consider LAUP?
If your snoring is habitual and disruptive to others, you may choose LAUP procedure to relieve yourself and your roommates from this irritating sound. But first your otolaryngologist will examine you and ask such questions:
- Is your snoring sound loud? Does it disturb your family and friends?
- Do you experience daytime sleepiness?
- Do you experience episodes of obstructed breathing during sleep frequently?
- Do you wake up frequently during sleeping?
- Do you suffer from morning headaches or daytime tiredness?
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