Evaluation of potential predictors of outcome of laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty for snoring.

Abstract

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. 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. The outcome of surgery was assessed by changes in objective sound measurements and in SSI, 6 months after LAUP. Relationships between the predictive measurements and outcome were at best only weak and none had sufficient predictive value to be useful in clinical practice.