Nd:YAG laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty for snoring.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) has been acknowledged as the surgical treatment of choice for snoring. More recently, laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) has emerged as a reliable, safe, less invasive technique in the surgical treatment of snoring. Our experience includes 90 patients treated by means of Nd:YAG laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty and the results are presented. The value of different factors (age, sex, snoring loudness, pharynx appearance, Müller manoeuver, presence of apnoeic episodes, overweight) in predicting success or failure of laser surgery has been evaluated. Good results were obtained in 80% of our patients. We found excessive snoring loudness and apnoeic episodes to be statistically associated with failure of LAUP to correct snoring. The other mentioned factors cannot be used in predicting the outcome of Nd:YAG laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty.