Anyone who can snore louder than lumberjacks sawing the mightiest tree in the forrest have probably looked into various cures and remedies already. This may be due to the fact that they are fully capable of snoring loud enough to wake themselves up, a spouse or sleeping partner may have adamantly demanded such or the neighbors have called the police again to complain that one’s snoring is disturbing the peace. When looking at the various remedies and cures for snoring it would not be uncommon for someone to wonder ‘do I need to wear this contraption every night until I die?’ and rightfully so. In these cases one might eventually discover and perhaps turn to laser surgery for snoring.

The first question those considering laser surgery for snoring ask is: what exactly is laser surgery for snoring? There are at least two primary types of laser surgery for snoring, LAUP and UPPP. LAUP, or laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty is generally cheaper form of laser surgery for snoring disorders, and involves local anesthetic but can be done at a regular doctor’s clinic in under 30 minutes. The process involves laser-trimming the uvula over a period of multiple visits. UPPP, or uvulopalatopharyngoplasty involves using medical-grade lasers to enlarge the throat near the tonsil and adenoids. This usually results in the removal of some of the soft palate and uvula, and is generally far more painful than a LAUP procedure. UPPP is usually performed as a surgical procedure with the patient under general anesthesia. Anyone seriously considering either a UPPP or a LAUP procedure would do well to consult a qualified medical practitioner for further advice in order to make the most informed and appropriate decision. It is also worth noting that this area of medical science is rapidly advancing and though this article is accurate as of the time of writing, it is virtually inevitable that other procedures will be developed to either supplement or replace laser surgery for snoring.

This begs a second fundamental question: does laser surgery for snoring really work? That is a matter of some debate. Clinical researchers in Barcelona concluded that LAUP was essentially ineffective, but were not sure if the problem was procedural or systemic. Medical doctors Michael Thorpy and Aaron Sher wrote a paper in 1993 for the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at Montefiore Medical Center and concluded that laser surgery for snoring was a viable solution.

It may become a case where the right tool for the right job produces the right result. That is to say that those suffering from excessive snoring caused by factors other than restrictions in the mouth will probably not benefit from laser surgery for snoring regardless of what type they choose. Those that do suffer from the appropriate root causes may benefit, but not always; no surgical procedure is 100% effective.