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During normal breathing, air passes through the throat on its way to the lungs. The air travels past the soft palate, uvula, tonsils, and tongue. When a person is awake, the muscles in the back of the throat tighten to hold these structures in place preventing them from collapsing and/or vibrating in the airway. During sleep, the uvula and soft palate frequently vibrate causing the distinctive sounds of snoring.

The LAUP procedure is a laser surgical procedure designed to sequentially trim and shorten these structures, thus preventing or reducing snoring.

Risks and ComplicationsYou have the right to be informed that the surgery may involve risks of unsuccessful results, complications, or injury from both known and unforeseen causes. Because individuals vary in their tissue circulation and healing processes, as well as anesthetic reactions, ultimately there can be no guarantee made as to the results or potential complications. The following complications have been reported in the medical literature. This list is not meant to be inclusive of every possible complication. They are listed here for your information only, not to frighten you, but to make you aware and more knowledgeable concerning this surgical procedure.

1. Failure to resolve the snoring. Most surgeons feel that about 85% of patients who undergo a LAUP will have a significant or complete resolution in their snoring; and an additional percentage of patients will notice reduced levels of snoring such that their sleep partners will report that it’s level is no longer offensive.

2. Failure to cure sleep apnea or other pathological sleep disorders. Pathological sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, are medical problems which may have associated serious complications. At this time, the LAUP procedure has not been proven to cure these disorders.

3. Bleeding. In very rare situations, a need for blood products or a blood transfusion. You have the right, should you choose, to have autologous or designated donor directed blood pre-arranged. You are encouraged to consult with your doctor if you are interested.

4. Nasal regurgitation, a change in voice, or velopharyngeal insufficiency when liquids may flow into the nasal cavity during swallowing (rare).

5. Failure to resolve coexisting sinus, tonsil, or nasal problems.

6. Need for revision, or further and more aggressive surgery.

7. Prolonged pain, impaired healing, and the need for hospitalization

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In general, surgery for sleep apnea is only about 50% successful. However, you would need to talk with your surgeon regarding your specific situation. Surgery is usually recommended only after medical therapy has failed. If your main concern is the snoring, then either the laser procedure or the new Somnoplasty carries about an 85% success rate for resolution of the snoring.

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Your problems can be evaluated by an Ears, Nose, Throad (ENTor otolaryngologist) doctor–if you are having sleep problems associated with significantly enlarged adenoids and a very relaxed palate then various surgical operations may be necessary to review. The problem is not one of too little oxygen, but rather may be related to anatomical issues (how his air passages are designed). Speak with your doctor about this. Many times it is helpful to make a video tape for either his doctor or the ENT doctor to see–a picture and sound is worth a thousand words.

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Obstructive sleep apnea in normal children is almost always caused by enlarged (hypertrophic) tonsils and adenoids). These children will display the typical sleeping patterns of sleep apnea. They have loud snoring, frequent pauses with breathing at night, frequent awakening from sleep, restless sleep, nightmares, and bedwetting (enuresis). During the daytime, these children are mouth breathers, may have excessive daytime sleepiness, and poor school performance.

Other more rare causes of sleep apnea include any congenital (present from birth) or acquired cause of upper airway obstruction.

The treatment of obstructive sleep apnea is directed to the cause of the obstruction.

As noted above, most cases of obstructive sleep apnea in children is caused by enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Surgical interventions are therefore directed to what is causing the obstruction. In the case of enlarged tonsils and adenoids, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy is usually successful in relieving the problem. If the problem is not the tonsils and adenoids, the cause of the obstruction must be determined. For example, surgery of the jaw may be required. In some cases, even a tracheostomy is necessary. Non-surgical therapies include oral prostheses (difficult in children), medications (steroids, stimulants), and weight reduction.

In almost every case of obstructive sleep apnea in children who do not have unusual anatomic problems, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy is a safe and effective treatment, and is highly recommended.

For more information visit: http://www.melatrol.com/?aid=847674

Obstructive sleep apnea in normal children is almost always caused by enlarged (hypertrophic) tonsils and adenoids). These children will display the typical sleeping patterns of sleep apnea. They have loud snoring, frequent pauses with breathing at night, frequent awakening from sleep, restless sleep, nightmares, and bedwetting (enuresis). During the daytime, these children are mouth breathers, may have excessive daytime sleepiness, and poor school performance.

Other more rare causes of sleep apnea include any congenital (present from birth) or acquired cause of upper airway obstruction.

The treatment of obstructive sleep apnea is directed to the cause of the obstruction.

As noted above, most cases of obstructive sleep apnea in children is caused by enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Surgical interventions are therefore directed to what is causing the obstruction. In the case of enlarged tonsils and adenoids, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy is usually successful in relieving the problem. If the problem is not the tonsils and adenoids, the cause of the obstruction must be determined. For example, surgery of the jaw may be required. In some cases, even a tracheostomy is necessary. Non-surgical therapies include oral prostheses (difficult in children), medications (steroids, stimulants), and weight reduction.

In almost every case of obstructive sleep apnea in children who do not have unusual anatomic problems, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy is a safe and effective treatment, and is highly recommended.

For more information visit: http://www.melatrol.com/?aid=847674