Snare uvulopalatoplasty

Abstract

Single-stage outpatient treatment of snoring with snare dissection uvulopalatoplasty (UPP) has been developed and found to be safe and effective. Single-stage snare dissection UPP (SUPP) was performed on 25 habitual loud snorers with readily available instrumentation in an ambulatory setting. Fourteen had associated septoplasty. When only SUPP was performed, local and topical anesthesia and minimal oral premedication were used in most cases. No significant immediate or delayed bleeding occurred. Postoperative discomfort persisted for 3 to 12 days and required only oral analgesics. No postoperative complications occurred. Ninety-one percent of patients reported satisfactory reduction or elimination of snoring after surgery. Preoperative and postoperative acoustic analysis of sleeping respiration (SNAP testing) was used to document the effects of SUPP in eight patients. SUPP is a safe, cost-effective method of treating patients with habitual snoring.