Perhaps you have tried the various anti snoring devices available, and none seemed to work for you.
Or you have been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), but find using the Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) device just too uncomfortable.
Whatever reason, many snorers turn to surgery to make their nights less noisy and disruptive, both for themselves and for their partners.
Surgical methods for reducing or eliminating snoring or OSA are typically divided into the way they go about stopping the blockage.
Let's take a closer look at some.
Surgery designed to enlarge the throat Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) - This procedure typically involves removal of the tonsils and part of the uvula and soft palate.
This actually serves two purposes: opening the airway and reducing the amount of tissue available to vibrate.
UPPP is performed under general anesthetic, and recovery time is typically one to two weeks.
This method typically requires admittance to the hospital.
Typically only one surgery is required.
Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) - If your tonsils have already been removed, this option may be preferred over UPPP.
This procedure uses laser technology to remove part of the soft palate and shorten the uvula.
LAUP is done with either a local or general anesthetic, and recovery time is typically one week.
This procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis, resulting in lower costs.
However, to get the best results, as many as six separate procedures will be performed.
Cautery-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (CAUP) - Instead of a laser, this procedure uses a heated wire or electrode to burn away part of the uvula.
This method results in the least post-operative pain of those discussed so far, and is performed as an outpatient under local anesthetic.
Again, repeat visits is typically required for best results.
Surgery to stiffen the tissues in the throat or palate Somnoplasty - A low temperature, low power needle using radio frequency energy is used in this procedure to coagulate tissue in the uvula, palate, or tongue.
This coagulated material is absorbed by the rest of the body, resulting in less obstruction caused by the treated area and resulting in the stiffening of the area.
This outpatient procedure has about an 80% success rate for reducing snoring, and has also been shown to help mild sleep apnea.
Repeat visits are normal.
Cautery-assisted palatal stiffening operation (CAPSO) - Similar to the CAUP, but tissue from the soft palate is the target for removal.
This procedure appears to have the highest initial success rate for reduction of snoring, at around 92%.
Can be done on an outpatient bases.
Pillar Procedure - After a local anesthetic is given, the doctor implants three small inserts into the soft palate.
These inserts stiffen the palate, resulting in less vibration, and less snoring.
This procedure is used to reduce snoring and is effective for mild to moderate OSA.
This was a just a quick introduction to six of the more common surgery procedures used to treat both snoring and sleep apnea.
There are many more, with a procedure available to treat almost any cause for your snoring or apnea.
But to determine if surgery is right for your case, as well as which type is the most appropriate, you must visit your own doctor or an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
They can recommend the best way to go to achieve a better nights sleep for you and your family.
Or you have been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), but find using the Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) device just too uncomfortable.
Whatever reason, many snorers turn to surgery to make their nights less noisy and disruptive, both for themselves and for their partners.
Surgical methods for reducing or eliminating snoring or OSA are typically divided into the way they go about stopping the blockage.
Let's take a closer look at some.
Surgery designed to enlarge the throat Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) - This procedure typically involves removal of the tonsils and part of the uvula and soft palate.
This actually serves two purposes: opening the airway and reducing the amount of tissue available to vibrate.
UPPP is performed under general anesthetic, and recovery time is typically one to two weeks.
This method typically requires admittance to the hospital.
Typically only one surgery is required.
Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) - If your tonsils have already been removed, this option may be preferred over UPPP.
This procedure uses laser technology to remove part of the soft palate and shorten the uvula.
LAUP is done with either a local or general anesthetic, and recovery time is typically one week.
This procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis, resulting in lower costs.
However, to get the best results, as many as six separate procedures will be performed.
Cautery-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (CAUP) - Instead of a laser, this procedure uses a heated wire or electrode to burn away part of the uvula.
This method results in the least post-operative pain of those discussed so far, and is performed as an outpatient under local anesthetic.
Again, repeat visits is typically required for best results.
Surgery to stiffen the tissues in the throat or palate Somnoplasty - A low temperature, low power needle using radio frequency energy is used in this procedure to coagulate tissue in the uvula, palate, or tongue.
This coagulated material is absorbed by the rest of the body, resulting in less obstruction caused by the treated area and resulting in the stiffening of the area.
This outpatient procedure has about an 80% success rate for reducing snoring, and has also been shown to help mild sleep apnea.
Repeat visits are normal.
Cautery-assisted palatal stiffening operation (CAPSO) - Similar to the CAUP, but tissue from the soft palate is the target for removal.
This procedure appears to have the highest initial success rate for reduction of snoring, at around 92%.
Can be done on an outpatient bases.
Pillar Procedure - After a local anesthetic is given, the doctor implants three small inserts into the soft palate.
These inserts stiffen the palate, resulting in less vibration, and less snoring.
This procedure is used to reduce snoring and is effective for mild to moderate OSA.
This was a just a quick introduction to six of the more common surgery procedures used to treat both snoring and sleep apnea.
There are many more, with a procedure available to treat almost any cause for your snoring or apnea.
But to determine if surgery is right for your case, as well as which type is the most appropriate, you must visit your own doctor or an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
They can recommend the best way to go to achieve a better nights sleep for you and your family.