Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of 5 power lasers (CO(2), diode, KTP, ErCr:YS66, and ND:YVO4) in laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty.
METHODS:
This is a prospective study of 100 patients who were treated for snoring by laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty with different lasers.
RESULTS:
The number of days of pain medication use and the time to return to normal diet were used as indicators of recovery from surgery. Median of pain medication use was 9, 7, 7, 5, and 4 days, and the median of the time to return to normal diet was 8, 7, 7, 6, and 4 days in the CO(2), diode, KTP, Nd:YVO4, and ErCrYSGG groups, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS:
Differences in postoperative recovery were observed. Probands treated with ErCrYSGG laser recovered more quickly than the Nd:YVO4, diode, KTP, and CO(2) groups.