MODIFICATION OF CONVENTIONAL LASER-ASSISTED UVULOPALATOPLASTY PROCEDURE

• Published in: JIBI INKOKA TEMBO Vol. 45; no. 3; pp. 211 - 215
• Main Authors: Suzuki, Kana, Tomoda, Koichi, Shimode, Yuzo, Takashima, Masayuki, Yoshida, Hajime
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Society of Oto-rhino-laryngology Tokyo 2002; 耳鼻咽喉科展望会
• Subjects: LAUP; new technique; OSAS; 手術手技; 睡眠時無呼吸症候群
• ISSN: 0386-9687; 1883-6429
• DOI: 10.11453/orltokyo1958.45.211

Over a three-year period, we have treated 174 patients for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syn-drome (OSAS) using laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP). However, postoperative sclerosis of the soft palate as a result of wound healing is a common complication of conventional LAUP. We have modified the conventional LAUP method by preserving the intact mucosal tissue and suturing it on the lateral side using a special device known as “MANICEPS ® ”. This technique dramatically reduces the incidence of postoperative stenosis in the oropharyngeal space as well as postoperative bleeding. This method is especially useful for the out-patient treatment of patients with snoring and mild OSAS.