title: A comparison of postoperative recovery from laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty using different laser systems.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of 5 power lasers (CO(2), diode, KTP, ErCr:YS66, and ND:YVO4) in laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective study of 100 patients who were treated for snoring by laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty with different lasers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of days of pain medication use and the time to return to normal diet were used as indicators of recovery from surgery. Median of pain medication use was 9, 7, 7, 5, and 4 days, and the median of the time to return to normal diet was 8, 7, 7, 6, and 4 days in the CO(2), diode, KTP, Nd:YVO4, and ErCrYSGG groups, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Differences in postoperative recovery were observed. Probands treated with ErCrYSGG laser recovered more quickly than the Nd:YVO4, diode, KTP, and CO(2) groups.
authors.affiliation: LENTE Clinic and Medical School of the Charles University, Plzen, Czech Republic. pavelec@lente.cz
authors.forename: Vaclav
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pavelec
authors.forename: Jarmila
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bohmanova
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D017286:Polysomnography; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012913:Snoring / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014609:Uvula / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*