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Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1998;124:718-721.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Hypothesis

Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty may be an appropriate procedure for patients with mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

BACKGROUND

The application of laser technology to surgery of the upper airway for sleep-related breathing disorders (laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty [LAUP]) has sparked a flurry of interest in ameliorating both the socially vexing problem of snoring as well as the potentially life-threatening physiologic consequences of the OSA syndrome. The revolution in the management of sleep disorders has been fueled by media attention as well as consumer interest. This has created a concern by some that the intense enthusiasm for surgically treating patients with sleep-related breathing disorders has led to premature application of unproven technology. Since the fervor over LAUP has subsided to a degree, and since several peer-reviewed publications are available for analysis, it is appropriate to reassess this procedure and, in particular, to determine if its use for mild OSA is safe and efficacious.

Figure appears in full text version. David J. Terris, . . . [Full Text of this Article]

METHODS FOR ANALYSIS

PRO

CON

FURTHER ANALYSIS

BOTTOM LINE