About LAUP
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What is Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP)?
LAUP is a surgical procedure for the removal of the uvula and a portion of the soft palate using a carbon dioxide laser. Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty is used in the treatment of habitual snoring and sleep apnea.
How is LAUP Performed?
- The patient is made to sit up on a chair.
- Local anesthesia is sprayed on the patient¡¯s throat, tonsils, soft palate, and uvula, which is a tiny triangle shaped tissue that suspends from soft palate over the back of the tongue.
- Some more anesthetic is injected into the uvula muscle tissue.
- A carbon dioxide laser is used to make a couple of vertical cuts in the soft palate on both the sides of the uvula.
- A third cut is made to remove the uvula tip and a portion of the soft palate.
How to Prepare for the LAUP procedure?
- The patient needs to go through a number of tests to evaluate:
- The total and differential white blood cell count
- The blood hemoglobin percentage
- The bleeding and clotting time
- A polysomnography is performed to determine the degree of sleep apnea that the patient is suffering from. Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is performed only on patients who experience mild to moderate sleep apnea. If LAUP is performed only to treat snoring, the patient may continue to suffer from sleep apnea without snoring.
- The patient¡¯s medical history and lifestyle factors are examined.
- The patient goes through a physical check-up and an otolaryngological examination.
Duration of procedure/surgery : Approximately 30 minutes
Number of sessions required : LAUP usually requires a sequence of 3 to 5 treatments.
If more LAUP treatment sessions are required, they are separated 4 to 8 weeks apart.
Days admitted : None. LAUP is performed as an outpatient procedure.
Anesthesia : Local or general anesthesia
Recovery : - The surgery may not be effective
- Severe pain for many weeks
- Worsening of obstructive sleep apnea
- Permanent change in voice
Risks : - The surgery may not be effective
- Severe pain for many weeks
- Worsening of obstructive sleep apnea
- Permanent change in voice
After care : - Light bleeding after the surgery can be dealt by spitting out the blood and gurgling with cold water.
- Persistent or heavy postoperative bleeding should be reported to the otolaryngologist.
- Medication to relieve the throat discomfort should be taken after consulting the doctor.
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