코골기의 치료와 수술법의 변화

Abstract

Although snoring is a common medical symptom, it is a cause not only of social problems but of otolaryngological illnesses such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). Various treatment methods have been used to treat snoring, including Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, which is a surgical approach to treating snoring and OSAS. Recently, the laser-assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is being used to treat snoring in an out-patient basis. In addition, with the advancement of medical equipments, radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction method, implant surgery, and injection snoreplasty method were also introduced. Other surgical methods such as lateral pharyngotomy and uvulopalatal flap were also tried. Despite these new surgical methods, long term follow-up after the surgery is needed if better surgical outcomes are to be obtained.