Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty for snoring: does it meet the expectations?
The high prevalence of habitual snoring (35% of the general population) and the increasing demand for an effective treatment have led, in the last decade, to the generalisation of laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP). However, acceptable studies on its effectiveness are lacking. The present randomised, placebo-controlled study included 25 nonapnoeic and mild obstructive sleep apnoea snorers to evaluate LAUP effectiveness for snoring. Group I received a one-stage LAUP treatment and group II a placebo (simulated snore surgery followed by an oral placebo). Before each treatment and 3 months after, the variables and procedures assessed were: body weight; sleepiness (Epworth sleepiness scale); quality of life (SF-36); subjective snoring intensity (0-10 analogue scale); objective snoring intensity (average decibel intensity); snoring index (number of snores per hour); and apnoea/hypopnea index. No differences were observed in body weight, sleepiness, quality of life, subjective and objective intensity, and frequency of snoring, and apnoea/hypopnea index between the groups before and 3 months after treatment. In conclusion, this study provides evidence of the lack of effectiveness of one-stage laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty for snoring in nonapnoeic and mild obstructive sleep apnoea patients, with the result that it does not meet the expectations generated by the procedure.
Larrosa
F
F
Otorhinolaryngology Service, Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Hernandez
L
L
Morello
A
A
Ballester
E
E
Quinto
L
L
Montserrat
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D017286:Polysomnography; D011336:Probability; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012913:Snoring / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014609:Uvula / Q000601:surgery*