title: Comparison of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty and cautery-assisted uvulopalatoplasty in the treatment of primary snoring.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to compare the postoperative pain and surgical results of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP), and cautery-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (CAUP) procedures in the treatment of primary snoring.
  
  
  METHODS
  54 patients were stratified according to a modified Friedman staging system (MFSS) for sleep-disordered breathing. Tonsil size (1, 2, 3) and palatal position scale (grade 1-2) and body mass index <30 according to the MFSS were included for standardization. Three workgroups consisting of 18 patients each were formed and UPPP, LAUP and CAUP procedures were performed. The success of the surgical procedures was evaluated by applying the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to the patients, and the patients' bed partners were asked to evaluate the snoring level preoperative and 45 days after the operation to determine any improvement in snoring complaints. Patients were followed for postoperative pain, secondary infection, bleeding, permanent velopharyngeal insufficiency and nasopharyngeal stenosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Snoring was relieved in 83.3% of UPPP and CAUP groups and in 88.8% of LAUP 45 days after operation. The mean pain duration was 5.71 days for the UPPP patients, 6.28 days for the LAUP patients and, 4.12 days for the CAUP patients. The mean pain score was 2.1 for the UPPP patients, 2.38 for the LAUP patients, and 1.6 for the CAUP patients. Only 1 patient was hospitalized due to pain in the LAUP group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effectiveness of UPPP, LAUP and CAUP procedures were found to be similar (more than 83%). Postoperative pain was mostly seen in LAUP and UPPP cases. The CAUP procedure was easy and the least painful.
authors.affiliation: Otolaryngology Department, Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Istanbul, Turkey. hcincik@ttnet.net.tr
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cincik
authors.forename: Engin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cekin
authors.forename: Bilal
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cetin
authors.forename: Atila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gungor
authors.forename: Ethem
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Poyrazoglu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002425:Cautery / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D010159:Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012913:Snoring / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014609:Uvula / Q000601:surgery*