The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
Laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty
SURGERY TO REDUCE OR ELIMINATE SNORING
If you have problems with snoring or sleep apnoea, our minimally-invasive laser treatment could help.
What is a laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty?
Laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is a minimally-invasive treatment used to treat snoring and mild to moderate cases of sleep apnoea.
It is a relatively quick procedure that uses laser technology to reduce the size of the uvula (the soft, hanging part in your throat near your tonsils) and clearing the airways.
Need to know
Consultants use laser treatment to target the rear of the mouth, removing any excess tissue and reducing the size of the uvula. This increases the size of the airways, allowing you to breathe more easily when you’re asleep.
The precision of the lasers means that there is minimal tissue damage. Because of this, LAUP is considered a safer and more comfortable alternative to uvulopalatoplasty (UPPP).
This is a safe treatment that usually takes no more than 30 minutes. You’ll be given a local anaesthetic, which means you’ll be awake during the treatment, but you won’t feel any pain.
There is no set number of treatments needed, so your consultant will assess your needs and recommend what’s best for you. Usually, it takes between one and four treatments.
This is a quick and simple treatment and you will be able to leave immediately afterwards and return to normal activities straightaway.
You may experience some mild side effects, including a dry or sore throat.
Our Laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty locations
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.