Efficacy of cold-steel uvulopalatoplasty

Seven patients underwent cold-steel uvulopalatoplasty with tissue removal similar to that being performed with laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty. The severity and length of postoperative pain, days out of work, postoperative complications, and efficacy in reducing snoring were assessed. The minimum follow-up period was 6 months. The average length of postoperative pain (inability to eat a completely normal diet) was 6 days. All but one patient underwent only one session of cold-steel uvulopalatoplasty with satisfactory relief of snoring. The remaining patient required two sessions. One patient had some mild postoperative bleeding, which resolved with silver nitrate. Improvement in snoring goes as follows: marked improvement in three patients, moderate improvement in three patients, and slight improvement in one patient. None of the patients had complete resolution or the same degree of snoring. Patients who underwent concomitant oropharyngeal procedures (i.e., tonsillectomy) in addition to cold-steel uvulopalatoplasty tended to have pain for a longer period of time and required a longer convalescence period. Cold-steel uvulopalatoplasty is an inexpensive and viable option to outpatient laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty for the reduction of snoring in select patients.