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 uvulopalatopharyngplasty (UPPP).
Twenty patients with an apnoea/hypopnoea index <20h-1 underwent LPP for habitual snoring. Overnight sound recordings were compared before and six 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.
Drinnan MJ, Richardson HC, Close PR, Smithson AJ, White JES, Griffiths CJ, Marshall HF, Gibson GJ. Objective benefit of laser palatoplasty for non-apnoeic snoring. Clin. Otolaryngol. 1999, 24, 335-338.
Dr. Michael J. Drinnan, Freeman Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne. Tel: +44 (0)191-223-6161.
Regional Medical Physics Department, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN, UK.
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