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CAUP Research

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Bulldogs are the only other mammal to snore. They are a type of brachycephalic dog meaning they have been bred to have a short head. Their palate and uvula is often too long for their mouth and they may have to have it trimmed surgically to stop them from strangling in their sleep.
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Coblation Assisted Upper Airway Procedure (CAUP) and RAUP Print E-mail
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Coblation Assisted Upper Airway Procedure (CAUP) and RAUP
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CAUP is another technique that uses coblation. For more information on coblation, refer to the Coblation page. In general, coblation uses radiofrequency energy to remove tissue and reduce the thickness of tissue under relatively low temperature. This greatly reduces damage to surrounding tissue - reducing pain.

RAUP stands for radiofrequency uvulopalatoplasty.  This is the same surgery but uses slightly different equipment so it caries a different name.  Results, technique, and complications are identical and both procedures are now offered in my office.

CAUP stands for Coblation Assisted Upper-airway Procedure.  It widens the airway in the area of the soft palate and is therefore offered when this is the primary site of snoring and sleep apnea.  A complete history and physical examination including pharyngoscopy with snoring and Muellers maneuver (sucking in against a closed nose to try to collapse the airway) is required to determine is this is the right procedure for you.

Reflex-55 wandThe concept of the procedure is to trim off excess tissue, make relaxing incisions in the soft palate to widen the airway, then thin out, raise, and stiffen the soft palate. The procedure is done with a coblation probe (Reflex 55)  under local anesthetic and is the alternative to UPPP (Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) which is done under general anesthetic. Although I believe UPPP can be done safely and without excessive pain, it is still much less comfortable than coblation and there is a higher rate of complications.

The published success rate for snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea is 80%.  About 20% of people will require another procedure on the palate of tongue.  Some people have a mild dry mouth or a sensation of a lump at the back of the throat that can last for several weeks after the procedure.  Most people are back to work within 2 days and back to physical excercise within 4 days.   Coblation procedures can be done on Saturday to avoid time off work.


The advantages of CAUP over other snoring procedures are:

  • It avoids removal and damage of the lining of the palate. This preserves the salivary glands so there is less dry mouth
  • CAUP controls cutting and shrinking of tissue without damage to surrounding tissues
  • It provides Three Dimensional treatment:
  • Palate is thinned and stiffened (can’t vibrate as much so you can’t snore as much)
  • Palate is moved upward and forward (out of the airway)
  • The transverse diameter of the airway is widened (larger airway)
  • The same Reflex 55 Wand is used for both palatal procedures and base of tongue procedures – this saves money if both sites need to be addressed. The base of tongue is involved in 75% of people with sleep apnea.

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