Complications of laser-assisted uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (LA-UPPP) and radiofrequency treatments of snoring and chronic nasal congestion: a 10-year review of 5,600 patients.

PURPOSE

Recent laser and radiofrequency techniques for the treatment of snoring have provided improvements, but intraoperative and postoperative risks, complications, and long-term results have not been explored in a statistically large enough sample of patients. The goal of this article is to provide practitioners with important data and guidelines to help them in decision-making and prepare them to anticipate problems and recommend a systematic approach to avoid or treat complications.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This investigation was a retrospective review of 5,600 cases, performed over a 10-year period by a single investigator, in a private practice setting. The data on complications were gathered from chart review as well as questionnaires filled out on each patient and by patient reports. The inclusion criteria for this review were: 1) patients with a history of chronic snoring or nasal congestion; 2) patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification (ASA) Classes I or II medical history; 3) patients provide a detailed preoperative snoring questionnaires; 4) patients provide informed consent; 5) patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years following surgery; 6) patients completed a comprehensive postoperative survey; 7) operative report stating the exact nature of any complications; 8) surgeons provided a clinical assessment; 9) sleep apnea reports if available; and 10) patient body mass index of less than 30 kg/m2.

RESULTS

Laser-assisted uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (LA-UPPP) was used for the treatment of snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea in all cases; 40% of patients also had simultaneous nasal radioablation. No fatalities were recorded and fewer than 3% of patients had long-term complications. The most common intraoperative complication was bleeding, which occurred in 9.5% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Reducing the amount of tissue resected from the soft palate helped reduce or eliminate the common complications of traditional uvulopalatopharyngoplasty procedures. LA-UPPP and radioablation procedures are effective, safe, and can be carried out in an office setting equipped with anesthesia monitors and services. The complications associated with the procedure were rare and usually manageable.