Objective: Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is a common treatment for snoring, but up to 50% of patients obtain little or no sustained benefit. We investigated whether pre-operative measurements from lateral cephalometry, acoustic rhinometry, analysis of snoring sounds, and body mass index (BMI) could predict which snorers benefited from LAUP.
Study design and setting: Fifty-five snoring patients were assessed pre- and 6 months post-LAUP. Snoring severity was assessed by objective sound level recorded during polysomnography, and a Snoring Symptoms Inventory (SSI) questionnaire. RESULTS: The outcome of surgery was assessed by changes in objective sound measurements and in SSI, 6 months after LAUP.
Conclusions: Relationships between the predictive measurements and outcome were at best only weak and none had sufficient predictive value to be useful in clinical practice.
Macdonald A, Drinnan M, Johnston A, Reda M, Griffiths C, Wilson J, Gibson GJ. Evaluation of potential predictors of outcome of laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty for snoring. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2006 Feb;134(2):197-203.
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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