Comparison of postoperative pain between laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, and radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction of the palate.
OBJECTIVE
This study compares the posttreatment discomfort between laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP), uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), and radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction (RFVTR) of the palate through the use of visual analog pain scales and a quantitative assessment of the analgesic medication taken.


METHODS
In one group, LAUP (n = 10) or UPPP (n = 9) was used to treat patients' snoring or sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), and the other group underwent RFVTR (n = 22).


RESULTS
The mean numbers of days with pain after RFVTR, LAUP, and UPPP were 2.6, 13.8, and 14.3 days, respectively. Narcotic analgesics were required in the RFVTR, LAUP, and UPPP groups in 9%, 100%, and 100% of the subjects, respectively. The mean number of these days requiring narcotic pain medications for RFVTR, LAUP, and UPPP was 0.2, 11.8, and 12.4 days, whereas the total narcotic equivalent was 0.3, 7.4 and 29.6 days, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
RFVTR of the soft palate produced less posttreatment pain than LAUP or UPPP. LAUP and UPPP appeared to show little difference in the severity or duration of posttreatment discomfort.
Troell
R J
RJ
Stanford University Sleep Disorders Clinic, Center of Excellence, Stanford, California, USA.
Powell
N B
NB
Riley
R W
RW
Li
K K
KK
Guilleminault
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D017286:Polysomnography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014609:Uvula / Q000601:surgery*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid