It is reported that 15-30% of middle aged persons have a snoring problem. It gives a very annoying problem to patients' family, especially to bed partner, and is foregoing obstructive sleep apnea that is associated with cardiopulmonary
complication. As
the demand for surgery of simple snoring will increase, it is therefore essential to find a simple and safe method to deal with upper airway obstructions in ENT department. We had performed opalatoplasty for 40 simple adult snorers using laser
from
November 1993 to April 1994, and had evaluated its clinical effect. The patient complained sonorous snoring which was due mainly to the level of the velopharynx, and there tonsils were not to be large enough to obstruct airway, in this cases,
were
indicated. It was easily performed under local anesthesia, without hospitalization. We compared the degree of snoring improvement by bed partner and recordings of snoring sound measured at 10cm above the patient's head with recorder. Each data
compared
postoperative value with preoperation.
There evaluation had been performed from one to five months after the surgery. We found 90% in 40 patients had improvement. Serious complications were not noted.
This study indicates that laser opalatopharyngoplasty under local anesthesia may be clinically effective for simple snoring. (Korean J Otolaryngol 38:5, 1995)
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