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Complications
The complication rate in my series was extremely low (less than 1%) and similar to that reported by Krespi. Transient sore throat was the most common side effect. No significant bleeding was encountered. The complications of nasal regurgitation, nasopharyngeal stenosis and voice change did not occur, although they have been described by others.
A function of the uvula is to sweep mucus from the back of the throat and some patients have complained temporarily of an irritable throat due to the loss of this action.
In the case of failure to significantly relieve snoring after LAUP, occasionally either further palatal tissue can be lasered or, in cases of tonsillar hypertrophy, tonsillectomy may be indicated. Long term failure may occur due to patient weight gain with enlargement of the soft tissues of the oropharynx and tongue.
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