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"LAUP" Laser Assisted Uvula-Palatoplasty Patient Information | |
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Dr. Gatti's Media Events on Laser Assisted Uvula Palatoplasty |
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Don't Let Another Sleepless Night Go By |
Laser Breakthrough in the Treatment of Snoring |
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| Dr. William Gatti, Ear, Nose and Throat specialist with
offices in Libertyville and Gurnee has recently introduced a new treatment that will
revolutionize the way doctors treat snoring and perhaps sleep apnea. The new Laser
technology called Laser Assisted Uvula-Palatoplasty (LAUP) was brought to the country
earlier this year from France where it has been used successfully for the past 5 years. Treatment consists of 3 to 5 office sessions - about 15 minutes each - where the uvula is reshaped and thinned using the Laser Technique. The procedure is done under local anesthesia. Patients report a mild sore throat when swallowing for a few days after the procedure. Snoring reduction occurs almost immediately. Eating and speaking are not affected and there is no bleeding. Snoring affects 21 million adults in the U.S. and is more frequent in males and overweight persons and usually grows worse with age. The American Academy of Otolaryngology has estimated that 25% of normal adults are habitual snorers and 458 snore at least occasionally. The noisy sounds of snoring occur when there is an obstruction to the free flow of air through the passages at the back of the mouth and nose. Many times the problem is caused by a long palate that may narrow the opening from the nose into the throat as it dangles in the airway, it acts as a "flutter valve" during relaxed breathing and contributes to the noise of snoring. A long uvula makes matters worse. The new Laser Technique eliminates this cause of snoring according to Dr. Gatti. Snoring can cause other family members sleepless nights and often restlessness. Because of spouse discomfort, numerous domestic quarrels can occur and in some cases divorce. The snorer is an "Asphyxia Sufferer" who is unaware of the fact and fails to recognize and, therefore, understand the clinical disorders which arise as a result, according to Dr. Gatti. Snoring is not only a social problem which is disruptive to family life, but can be a symptom of a more serious condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). |
OSA is far more prevalent in the general population than
previously believed. Diagnosis is made when loud snoring is interrupted by episodes of
completely obstructed breathing. The condition can be serious and sometimes fatal if these
episodes last longer than 10 seconds and occur more than 7 times per hour. The cumulative
effect is reduced oxygen levels to the brain, forcing the snorer to stay in a light sleep
stage so that the breathing passage muscles are kept tighter. The snorer is then deprived
of the rest achieved only during deep sleep and may lead to sleepiness during the daytime
hours, on the job, or worse while at the wheel of a car. Differentiating snoring from
sleep apnea begins in an Ear, Nose, and Throat physicians office where a complete Head and
Neck examination is performed. An interview with the patient's spouse is recommended at
this time. An overnight sleep study may then be necessary. This is the most accurate way
to diagnose sleep apnea. The sleep study can be done in the patient's home or a hospital
sleep lab. Dr. Gatti has observed that the biggest advantage to the Laser Treatment is that it works. An immediate reduction in snoring is common, with significant improvement usually occurring after the second or third session. Reports have shown that in 85% of patients the snoring is cured while an additional 12% report a reduced level of snoring. The procedure is performed on adults over the age of 16. Some insurance companies may not reimburse for treatment of snoring as is the case for cosmetic procedures. However, surgery for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea is most often covered. Dr. Gatti predicts that this newer Laser Technology will also eventually supplant conventional Tonsillectomy in adults because it is so much less debilitating, is quick and almost painless. |
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This information was released to the press in August, 1993.