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A new technique for laser‐assisted uvulopalatoplasty: Decision‐tree analysis and results
Author(s) -
Remade Marc,
Betsch Christian,
Lawson Georges,
Jamart Jacques,
Eloy Philippe
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/00005537-199905000-00015
Subject(s) - medicine , lumen (anatomy) , surgery , nuclear medicine
Objective : Report a new technique of laser‐assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) for snoring performed as a one‐stage procedure. Study Design : A decision‐tree was used in a prospective study of 89 patients from April 1994 to May 1997. It included a fiberscopy and Midler's maneuver, rhinomanometry, pH monitoring, computed tomography scan to measure the pharyngeal lumen, pulse oximetry, and polysomnography in case of sleep apnea syndrome was suspected. Methods : The authors performed their LAUP technique on 43 patients (48.5%) whose snoring was mainly caused by the velum. This technique consists of scarifying the velum by vaporizing the mucosa and the submucosa along a rectangle extending from the palatal dimple to the uvula and having a width of 1.5 to 2 cm. Vaporization of the palatal arches follows without exceeding the junction of the anterior and posterior pillars in height. The uvula is cut if necessary, preserving a length of at least 0.5 cm. The other patients underwent different procedures according to the cause of snoring. Results : There was no significant difference between LAUP and uvulopalatoplasty (UPPP) regarding pain. No permanent phonatory disorders and no regurgitation occurred. Satisfaction evaluated on a scale ranging from 0 to 10 was equivalent for the two techniques: mean value = 7.68 (±2.18) for LAUP and 8.60 (±2.27) for UPPP. The mean follow‐up was 17 months (range, 1–37 mo). Satisfaction was also identical for all techniques. Conclusion : Our LAUP technique combined with other procedures according to a decision‐tree is efficient and safe.