Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty

Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is a technique that uses lasers to perform surgery for some sleep-related breathing disorders. It may be used if you have:

• Loud, habitual snoring. However, research indicates that snoring may return, usually within 2 years after the surgery.¹
• Upper airway resistance syndrome, in which nighttime breathing is obstructed but does not actually stop. Symptoms include feeling sleepy during the day, snoring a lot, and waking up frequently during the night.
• Mild obstructive sleep apnea, which is stopped or slowed breathing during sleep.

There is debate about whether the laser procedure is an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Of people with mild to moderate sleep apnea who are treated with LAUP:²

• About one-third improve.
• About one-third stay the same.
• About one-third get worse.

LAUP is not approved by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine to treat sleep apnea.³

Citations

1. Malhotra A, White DP (2002). Obstructive sleep apnea. Lancet, 360(9328): 237–245.

2. Ryan CF, Love LL (2000). Unpredictable results of laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Thorax, 55(5): 399–404.

3. Littner M, et al. (2001). Practice parameters for the use of laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty: An update for 2000. Sleep, 24(5): 603–619.