Laser Snoring Treatment

Laser Surgery for Snoring

Does laser snoring treatment, also known as uvulopalatoplasty, actually work? Can a snoring operation eliminate or dramatically improve your snoring problem?

If you have a snoring problem, laser surgery for snoring may be suggested to you by your doctor after you have implemented lifestyle changes, like losing weight, alcohol avoidance close to bedtime and sleeping on your side. If these measures don't get rid of snoring, your doctor may suggest laser snoring surgery.  Snoring surgery isn't advised for occasional or light snoring, but it's an option if your snoring is loud and disruptive.

Medically known as laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP), a small hand-held laser beam is used to shorten the soft palate and remove the uvula. The uvula is a small finger-shaped piece of tissue that hangs from the back of the roof of the mouth into the throat.  Removing excess tissue enlarges the airway and lessens vibration. More than one session may be necessary to get snoring under control. Laser surgery generally is not recommended for sleep apnea.

LAUP is performed under local or general anesthetic and the process can be repeated in order to obtain the desired effect. The number of procedures needed varies as some patients need up to four sessions. This procedure does not remove the tonsils.

After Surgery

It takes about three weeks to recover from laser surgery for snoring. Post-operative pain can be severe, peaking between three and nine days after surgery. It can be very hard to swallow at this time.

How Well It Works

A snoring operation is effective in reducing snoring in about one-third of cases. Because of the severe post-operative pain and the need to have more than one treatment, patients are often reluctant to repeat the procedure, which is reflected in the success rates. Two years after the surgery, only 55% of patients report that their bed partner is happy with the result. LAUP cannot be performed on people with a strong gag reflex.

Source: Mayo Clinic; WebMD; British Snoring and Sleep Apneoa Association