Sleep Apnea: Uvulopalatoplasty
Topic Overview
Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is a technique that
uses lasers to perform surgery for some sleep-related breathing disorders. It
may be used if you have:
- Loud, habitual
snoring. Research shows, though, that snoring may
return, usually within 2 years after the surgery.1
- Upper airway resistance syndrome, in
which nighttime breathing is obstructed but does not actually stop. Symptoms
include feeling sleepy during the day, snoring a lot, and waking up frequently
during the night.
- Mild obstructive
sleep apnea, which is stopped or slowed breathing
during sleep.
There is debate about whether the laser procedure is an
effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). LAUP has not shown any major benefit for people who have sleep
apnea.2 And problems swallowing and voice changes are
common side effects from LAUP.
LAUP is not recommended by
the American Academy of Sleep Medicine to treat sleep apnea.3, 4
References
Citations
- Malhotra A, White DP (2002). Obstructive sleep apnea.
Lancet, 360(9328): 237–245.
- Franklin KA, et al. (2009). Effects and
side-effects of surgery for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic
review. Sleep, 32(1): 27–36.
- Aurora RN, et al. (2010). Practice parameters for the surgical modifications of the upper airway for obstructive sleep apnea in adults. Sleep, 33(10): 1408–1413.
- Littner M, et al. (2001). Practice parameters for the
use of laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty: An update for 2000. Sleep, 24(5): 603–619.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Mark A. Rasmus, MD - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Sleep Medicine |
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| Last Revised | June 17, 2011 |
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Last Revised:
June 17, 2011
Malhotra A, White DP (2002). Obstructive sleep apnea.
Lancet, 360(9328): 237–245.
Franklin KA, et al. (2009). Effects and
side-effects of surgery for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic
review. Sleep, 32(1): 27–36.
Aurora RN, et al. (2010). Practice parameters for the surgical modifications of the upper airway for obstructive sleep apnea in adults. Sleep, 33(10): 1408–1413.
Littner M, et al. (2001). Practice parameters for the
use of laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty: An update for 2000. Sleep, 24(5): 603–619.
