A comparison of postoperative recovery from laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty using different laser systems.
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.
Pavelec
Vaclav
V
LENTE Clinic and Medical School of the Charles University, Plzen, Czech Republic. pavelec@lente.cz
Bohmanova
Jarmila
J
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*