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.
Otorhinolaryngology Service, Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
F
F
Larrosa
L
L
Hernandez
A
A
Morello
E
E
Ballester
L
L
Quinto
J M
JM
Montserrat
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*