Palatal implants for persistent snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea after laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty

• Published in: Clinical and experimental otorhinolaryngology Vol. 7; no. 1; pp. 66 - 68
• Main Authors: Choi, Ji Ho, Kim, Eun Joong, Kim, Kang Woo, Ju, Young Ho, Park, Euy Hyun, Lee, Seung Hoon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 01.03.2014; 대한이비인후과학회
• Subjects: Case Report; Implants; Obstructive sleep apnea; Palate; Snoring; 이비인후과학; Palate; Obstructive sleep apnea; Implants; Snoring
• ISSN: 1976-8710; 2005-0720
• DOI: 10.3342/ceo.2014.7.1.66

Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) was widely performed in 1990s as a surgical therapeutic procedure to improve snoring or mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, LAUP is not currently recommended as a treatment for OSA because the evidence for its efficacy is insufficient. Little is known about alternative minimally invasive surgery in patients who refuse continuous positive airway pressure or oral appliance after failed LAUP. We present a case of successful surgical treatment of persistent snoring and mild OSA with palatal implants after LAUP. This case suggests that palatal implants may be offered as an alternative surgical procedure for selective patients with persistent or recurrent snoring or mild OSA after LAUP.