Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty and laser uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for snoring and obsrtuctive sleep apnea: Long-term postoperative patient's satisfaction.
- Author:
Jae Ho KIM
1
;
Yoon Sik LEE
;
Hyung Wook PARK
;
Soon Yuhl NAM
;
Yong Jae KIM
;
Bong Jae LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Otolaryngology, Asan medical center College of medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, Korea. jhokim@www.amc.seoul.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
LAUP;
Laser-UPPP;
long-term outcomes;
satisfaction rate
- MeSH:
Apnea;
Body Mass Index;
Follow-Up Studies;
Foreign Bodies;
Hemorrhage;
Humans;
Nasal Obstruction;
Nasal Surgical Procedures;
Postoperative Complications;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Recurrence;
Sensation;
Sleep Apnea Syndromes*;
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive;
Snoring*;
Weight Gain;
Weight Loss
- From:Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
2000;43(2):173-178
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) and laser uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (Laser-UPPP) are well established and highly successful operation in the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). But, most reports are based on short-term follow-up results. This study was performed to evaluate the patient's satisfaction rate after long-term postoperative follow-up, and to investigate prognostic factors of good surgical outcome, time of recurrence, and sequelae. MATERIALS AND METHOD: 102 patients were operated by LAUP (n=77) and Laser-UPPP (n=25) between Jul,1993 and Dec,1996. These patients were followed up more than 2 years (mean 3.1 years). The degree of snoring and apnea related symptoms were evaluated using questionnaires preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: In 95 (93%) of 102 patients, symptoms were satisfationally reduced in 6 months of surgery. After 2 years the success rate dropped to 68% (70 of 102 patients. In the dissatisfied group 32 patients, most failures occurred between 6 and 12 months after surgery. Prognostic factors of good surgical outcomes were lower preoperative body mass index value, absence of postoperative weight gain, and combined nasal surgery. There was no major postoperative complication, but temporary sequalae ocurred as nasal regurgitation (8.8%), hypernasality (5.9%), pharyngeal foreign body sensation (13.7%), postoperative bleeding (6.9%), and long-lasting pain over 3 weeks (12.7%). CONCLUSION: Long-term follow-up more than 18 months is mandatory to evaluate postoperative results of LAUP and Laser-UPPP. To achieve good postoperative outcomes in the treatment of snoring or OSA, perioperative weight reduction should be recommended, and nasal surgery should be considered in patients with nasal obstruction.
