Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty in the management of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) was initially proposed as an alternative method to treat habitual snoring. Throughout the years the indications for LAUP have broadened, however, it has also remained an area of controversy. LAUP is a staged office-based procedure involving removal of excessive uvular mucosa and creation of transpalatal vertical troughs to effectively widen the retropalatal airway. Since postlaser treatment mimics the palatal appearance after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), similar surgical outcomes can be expected to properly selected patients. Although still an area of controversy, the medical literature has supported the cost effectiveness, safety, and comparable efficacy to the standard of UPPP in the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). In select patients, LAUP is a viable option for the management of not only snoring, but also OSAS.