Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty for obstructive sleep apnea.

Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) can reduce snoring by sequentially removing excessive vibratory tissue of the velopharynx. The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia in an office setting. Since the appearance of the soft palate is similar after both LAUP and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, LAUP may also be efficacious in the management of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). LAUP was performed in 34 consecutive prospectively evaluated patients with OSAS. Of the 34 patients, 28 (82%) were male; the mean age was 53 years, and the mean body mass index was 31.1. In the study population of 13 patients who completed preoperative and postoperative sleep studies, the apnea index decreased from 19.4 to 4.2 (P = .006), the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) decreased from 31.2 to 15.7 (P = .092), and mean lowest oxyhemoglobin saturation increased from 82.3% to 85.0% (P = .581). The RDI fell to 10 or lower in 38.5% of patients and was reduced by at least 50% in 53.8% of the study group. Snoring was significantly reduced in 92.3% of patients (P < .001). These early results suggest that LAUP may be efficacious in the management of OSAS.