[Current status of laser surgery in the area of the soft palate and adjoining regions].

The amount of different clinically available lasers is increasing. The ENT surgeon can therefore use the best laser for the planned operation. As the resources of the hospital do not increase with the laser technology, a decision has to be made whether in addition to the universal CO2-laser other types must be acquired and which type is best. This paper presents the characteristics and typical tissue interactions of several lasers for the area of the soft palate. Typical operative examples are shown, e.g. partial resection of the soft palate in patients with bronchopathy and sleep apnoea syndrome, tonsillectomy, tonsillotomy and adenotomy in adults.