Snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, and surgery

Snoring and OSAS are prevalent and important causes of sleep disturbance, and OSAS is now considered to be a major public health concern with significant morbidity and mortality. CPAP is considered the treatment of choice for OSAS, but poor patient acceptance and compliance remains problematic. Surgical procedures have been developed to alter the offending anatomic abnormalities responsible for OSA. The appropriate surgical procedure is determined by the site of anatomic obstruction, the severity of OSA and co-morbid medical problems, failure of other medical and surgical modalities, capabilities of the surgeon, and the patient's wishes. Effective surgical treatment of snoring has been accomplished with UPPP and LAUP. LAUP is considered less invasive, less morbid, more cost effective, and better tolerated and may be the most appropriate procedure for debilitating symptomatic snoring.