Sleep Disorder
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
For More Information on Sleep Disorder Help
Visit: Neuro-Natural Sleep
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