Traditional Surgery
When it comes to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and severe snoring, a relatively small number of patients require surgical treatment. However, the Snoring Center prefers to explore less invasive procedures before suggesting major surgery.
The Snoring Center does not perform traditional snoring surgery. The procedures we offer are all effective alternatives to surgeries for sleep apnea and snoring. All of our minimally invasive solutions take less than half an hour and use only local anesthesia, so patients can immediately return to their normal activities.
The Pillar Procedure
This simple sleep apnea service has proven very effective for both snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea. Your doctor will insert small, woven implants into your soft palate, improving airflow. It’s quick and easier to recover from compared to snoring surgery.
Read more about the Pillar Procedure
Turbinate Reduction
For those suffering from nasal allergies, this procedure is a great solution. It’s painless and provides relief from congestion, pressure, and drainage associated with common nasal allergies. The entire procedure takes less than 20 minutes.
Read more about Turbinate Reduction
Palate Reduction
A fast, affordable procedure to stiffen the soft palate using radio frequency energy or a laser. It can provide short term relief from disruptive snoring in less than 20 minutes.
Read more about Palate Reduction
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) of the Tongue Base
This sleep apnea surgery alternative helps to shrink and tighten part of the tongue to create more breathing space. It’s done in the office in five to eight 15-minute treatments.
Read more about Radiofrequency Ablation
Laser Tonsillectomy
This cutting-edge, office-based procedure vaporizes the outer surface of the tonsils, reducing their size and providing relief from chronic tonsillitis, tonsil stones and snoring or apnea related to enlarged tonsils.
Read more about Laser Tonsillectomy
When it comes to your treatment and comfort, non-surgical methods are preferable to snoring surgery and sleep apnea surgery. However, in the rare case that you do require surgical treatment for snoring, we can refer you to a qualified surgeon or medical center.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the success rate for surgery and what are the complications?
One of the most common traditional surgeries performed for snoring and sleep apnea is Uvulopalatoplasty, where part of the soft palate is removed in the operating room. Possible complications from uvulopalatoplasty include post-operative pain and bleeding, temporary loss of sense of taste, changing voice, palatal incompetence, and nasopharyngeal stenosis.
The success rate of this surgery is generally between 50 and 75%.
What types of surgery are usually performed for sleep apnea treatment and severe snoring?
It’s important to note that sometimes, multiple procedures are necessary to effectively treat severe snoring and sleep apnea. And even after surgery, some patients still need to use a CPAP machine every night. Common surgeries include:
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, widening the airway of the throat by removing, repositioning tissues around and of the uvula
- Septoplasty and Turbinate Reduction, which open up the nasal passages
- Hyoid Suspension, repositioning the hyoid bone at the base of the throat
- Maxillomandibular osteotomy (MMO) and advancement (MMA), involves cutting the bone of the jaws to move them forward and requires the mouth to be wired shut for healing