Abstract
Laser palatoplasty (LPP) is widely used for the treatment of non-apnoeic snoring, despite the lack of objective data supporting its use. We report measurements of snoring in a prospective study of LPP, and we compare the results with a previous study of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). Twenty patients with an apnoea/hypopnoea index <20 h−1underwent LPP for habitual snoring. Overnight sound recordings were compared before and 6 months after operation using three objective indices; L1 (the level exceeded by the loudest 1% of sound), L5 (the level exceeded by the loudest 5% of sound) and P50 (% total sleep time above 50 dBA). The subjective impression of snoring severity (Wilcoxon test, P < 0.001), and objective indices L1 and P50 (t-test, P < 0.001) showed significant reductions after LPP. The mean change in L1 was 4.2 dBA, comparable to that we previously reported for UPPP, while P50 was reduced to less than one-third its preoperative value. No other sleep variables changed significantly following LPP. We conclude that LPP results in reduced snoring volume comparable to that following UPPP.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 335-338 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Clinical Otolaryngology and Allied Sciences |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Aug 1999 |
Externally published | Yes |