Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty for habitual snoring without sleep apnea: outcome and complications

Thirty patients suffering from habitual snoring were subjected to laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty with a KTP/532 laser under local anesthesia. The patients selected for the present study had no complaints of severe sleep apnea. The surgical procedure included bilateral vertical incision through the palate at the base of the uvula with or without removal of the lower half of the uvula. Ninety-three percent of the patients showed apparent improvement of snoring following the operation. However, other sleep-related symptoms such as sleep quality and daytime sleepiness were not significantly improved. No major or critical complications such as massive bleeding and asphyxia occurred. Post-operative pain on deglutition disappeared in most patients 2 weeks after the operation. This procedure is safe, minimally invasive and effective for habitual snoring without apnea.