TERRIS and Wang should be applauded for their efforts in reviewing several hundred articles dealing with LAUP. They must have spent many hours reviewing raw data from several articles.
It is revealing that only 10 of some 50 articles presented polysomnographic data addressing the efficacy of LAUP for sleep-related breathing disorders. Snoring is a clue to a much more serious disorder: OSA. It is disturbing to note the lack of objective data presented in the literature.
Obesity is an important factor in sleep-related breathing disorders.1 The authors found only 3 studies that provided data on body mass index. Patients might have had significant changes in their weight, which could affect the results of any surgical interventions.
Also, there is no mention of the patient's oropharyngeal anatomy, especially the presence of large tonsils. It has been demonstrated that tonsils can significantly contribute to sleep-related breathing disorders.2 Procedures intended to improve sleep-related . . . [Full Text of this Article]