The role of laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty in snoring and sleep apnea.

1. A careful history and favorable physical exam is mandatory for consideration of LAUP. 2. Concurrent diseases must be addressed for optimal results. 3. A sleep study should be recommended with any evidence suggestive of sleep apnea. 4. LAUP cures snoring. 5. Primary treatment of severe sleep apnea is nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP). 6. Mild sleep apnea with appropriate physical exam can be expected to have acceptable results when treated by LAUP. 7. LAUP should be considered for moderate to severe sleep apnea only if NCPAF intolerance is intractible.

Comments on functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

A brief comment on functional endoscopic sinus surgery with the result of 208 cases were presented. It was stressed that all sinus patients must have very intensive conservative management, much longer than previously thought, before functional endoscopic sinus surgery should be employed. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is a vastly superior method of surgically treating the paranasal sinuses. It is based on the principles of reestablishing normal physiology of the sinus mucosa. It affords an excellent basis for removal of disease, establishing natural drainage, aeration and restoration of normal physiology.

Cochlear implant.

Cochlear implantation to restore some of the hearing in the profound or totally cochlear deaf patient has been briefly presented. An approximate two year follow up has not shown any complications. The Nucleus 22 channel cochlear implant, as presently manufactured, is a very useful device to rehabilitate profoundly or totally cochlear deaf patients.