LAUP is performed under local or general anesthetic and is considered to be a safer, more economical and a more comfortable alternative to traditional UPPP.
Using CO2 laser, elongated and enlarged tissues in the back of the throat are trimmed to restore normal airflow and eliminate snoring.
The tonsils are removed if needed with this procedure. Although laser surgery is associated with fewer complications than UPPP, post-operative pain is still reported as being moderate.
In clinical trials that compared UPPP with LAUP, there was significant difference in post-operative pain between the two, much less after laser surgery. Post-operative pain peaked anywhere from 3 to 9 days after surgery and usually resolved within 2 weeks.. As with UPPP the success rate from this type of surgery is high, 80-90% free from snoring and sleep apnea.