Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2002 Feb;45(2):144-148.

Long-Term Polysomnographic Findings and Subjective Results in Sleep Apnea Patients Treated with Laser Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty

• Lee SH
• Wang SG
• Koo SK
• Koo HE
• Yun JH
• Roh HJ
• Chon KM

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is well established in the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), although most reports are based on short-term follow-up results. This study was performed to determine the long-term effects on symptoms and polysomnographic measures in patients with OSAS after 5yrs of LAUP. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Fifty patients with OSAS underwent LAUP, and of these patients, 20 have completed postoperative polysomnographic studies. Questionnaires ranking snoring and apneic symptoms were completed by the patient and bed partner before LAUP. The parameters of measurement were apnea index (AI), respiratory disturbance index (RDI), SaO2, and sleep stages. The statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon signed rank test.
RESULTS
Subjective questionnaires showed statistically significant improvements in snoring, falling asleep while day work, headache upon wakening. The symptomatic improvement persisted long time. The AI decreased from 15.9 to 10.5, RDI decreased from 23.2 to 14.9, and the mean, lowest O2 saturation increased from 85, 93 to 92, 97 (p<0.05). The RDI was reduced to 10 or less in 40% of patients.
CONCLUSION
LAUP is an effective method for the management of mild OSAS. Authors have demonstrated long-term improvement in subjective and polysomnographic measures.

Keyword

LAUP; Obstructive sleep apnea; Polysomnography

MeSH Terms

Apnea
Follow-Up Studies
Headache
Humans
Polysomnography
Surveys and Questionnaires
Sleep Apnea Syndromes*
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive
Sleep Stages
Snoring