The laser-assisted uvulo-palatoplasty (LAUP) is one of the older ways of controlling snoring and sleep apnea. It was originally designed as an alternative, lesser invasive way of trimming and stiffening the soft palate as compared with the standard uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) procedure.

The LAUP is an in-office procedure performed under local anesthesia using novocaine, which is similar to what you get at the dentist's office. A carbon dioxide laser is used to trim the free edge off the soft palate. Typically, the uvula is trimmed off and two notches are made on either side of the uvula base, to recreate the curvature of the uvula hanging down the middle of the soft palate. There are also many other variation of this technique.

As the tissues heal, scarring and tightening take place, lessening the snoring and obstructive events.

Initial results seemed promising, but recurrences were common, so many people needed 2 or 3 total treatments. It's relatively effective in controlling snoring (70-80%), but results are mixed with obstructive sleep apnea. You can think of this procedure as a lesser version of the UPPP, without having to go to the operating room. It's not surprising that overall success rates are no better than a standard UPPP, which is 40%.

One disadvantage is that you don't typically take out the tonsils. Also, you're not addressing another major cause of obstruction that many sleep apnea patients have, which is tongue base collapse. This is also a relatively painful procedure, since you're burning and charring tissues at high temperatures.

With the advent of lesser invasive and less painful ways of stiffening the soft palate for snoring, the LAUP is not used as often anymore. It's rarely performed for sleep apnea as well.