Thanks to leading edge laser technology, Roncopathy (snoring disorder) can be treated in a quick, definite and considerably less traumatic manner with respect to traditional surgery techniques. Contrary to the latter, laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (pulsed CO2 lasers) is performed under local anaesthesia without requiring admission in hospital (i.e. it is performed in a day hospital).

The operation is performed within a single session lasting about thirty minutes. Such method is entirely painless, starting from the administration of anaesthesia which is performed through a spray on the mucous. The pulsed carbon dioxide laser is an accurate and efficient instrument capable of definitely eliminating (74% of the cases) or drastically reducing (22% of the cases) the snoring disorder.

The therapy – developed in the United States and used in Italy only over the last few years – is free of contraindication to a point of not only being recommended for people subject to simple snoring but above all for people who cannot bear heavy surgery and post-operation stresses or those simply afraid of admission in hospital.   

Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty widens the oropharynx space in such a manner to eliminate or reduce obstructions of the soft palates towards the posterior mucous and the tonsil pillars. The CO2 laser allows operating in a more accurate manner with respect to the traditional scalpel and without causing bleeding (thanks to its photocoagulation effect).

By reducing some strips of the soft palate through vaporization – intervening on the pillars, on the arch and on the uvula, the tone of the tissues subjected to receding is increased due to the induced cicatrisation. Thus the noisy and annoying vibrations typical of snoring disappear upon restoration of the airflow.

Discharge on the same day
Though roncopathy can be eliminated in a single session, such therapy can be performed in two or three sessions in the most complicated cases. At the end of the surgical therapy, the patient is discharged and ready to go home without requiring particular treatment. The post-operation period is practically free of discomfort: the patient has a feeling similar to laryngitis but such feeling disappears in a few days and it can be treated through an analgesic therapy for topical use prescribed upon discharge. There is a mild irritation and one can resume usual chores in a very short period of time.

CO2 LASER
A CO2 pulsed laser is used for this type of surgery. Such instrument allows operating in an accurate and safe manner. The energy beam is directed to the established point, instantly vaporizing the tissues without causing bleeding, due to the photocoagulation effect of the laser. These characteristics combine allowing an operation performed under local anaesthesia and drastically reducing the post-operation pain. 

ADVANTAGES WITH RESPECT TO TRADITIONAL SURGERY

Alongside reducing physical and psychological discomfort of the patient to the minimum, the CO2 laser offers some considerable advantages with respect to the traditional scalpel:

Absolute accuracy: the optimal focusing of the laser allows more accurate and hygienically sterile incisions with respect to the ones obtained mechanically using a scalpel. Removal of tissues (through vaporisation) occurs without any physical contact.

Blood-free: the laser simultaneously coagulates the capillaries while vaporising the tissues (haemorrhagic risks are still high traditional surgery).  

Practical and less stressful: the intervention is performed under local anaesthesia in a day hospital.

Low recovery periods: the laser makes tissue cicatrisation is extremely rapid.

Less post-operation pain: pain is acute and persistent in traditional surgery.

Quick return to daily chores: no post-surgery rest period is required.