Medical Procedures

Surgery is very invasive and may not be as effective as other treatments, so it should be considered as a last resort form of therapy. Surgery should only be considered for the most severe form of OSA, after all other treatments have been exhausted. There are different types of obstructions that can be corrected surgically, and it is important to understand the effectiveness and risks involved with each.

Nasal operations

Nasal operations clears blockages in the nose or can repair a deviated septum, which is the divider between the two nostrils. A bent or deformed septum can block airflow in the nose. This surgery used in conjunction with other types of treatment, and rarely serves as a “cure” on its own.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

This surgery removes the uvula(the ball-like thing hanging in the back of your mouth), part of the soft palate (the very back of the roof of your mouth), and the tonsils, and is the most common surgical procedure for OSA. Only half of patients who undergo treatment see any success. There are many unpleasant side effects of the surgery, which include neck pain, nasally sounding speech and liquids flowing back up through the nose when you swallow.

As a standalone procedure, it is hardly effective with about a 40 percent success rate. When combined with other forms of treatment it can be effective if you fit the criteria for the operation.

Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty ( LAUP)

This form of treatment is used to correct snoring with surgery. In this surgery, a laser is used to remove the uvula and part of the soft palate. This is not a one-time operation, and follow-up surgeries are required. As a treatment, it is not very effective as scar tissue can develop causing even more issues with obstruction.

Somnoplasty

This treatment uses radio frequency heat energy to shrink the upper airway tissues. This widens the airway, helping to reduce snoring and can improve OSA.

During a somnoplasty, a probe is placed in the soft tissue of the upper airway while low levels of low heat energy burn the soft tissue, which eventually hardens and widens the airway.

This out-patient procedure is performed under local anesthesia and generally lasts about 30 minutes. However, results may not appear until six to eight weeks later.

Maxmillomandibular advancement (MMO)

This surgery moves the upper and lower jaw forward by cutting into the upper and lower bones of the jaws and repositioning them using titanium plates and screws. This surgery is most effective compared to other OSA surgeries, and is best for patients with jaw deformities.

However, the recovery rate is a long process, as your jaw will be wired shut for several weeks and you will be fed a liquid diet. Follow-up orthodontic work is required to make sure your teeth are aligned properly with the new position of your jaw.

Laser midline glossectomy (LMG) & lingualplasty

This surgery involves removal of part of the tongue, and is rarely used as a method of treatment. It is generally prescribed for patients with enlarged tongues.

Tracheostomy

This is another rare surgical procedure, but is effective for patients with severe OSA after all other treatments have failed. This procedure involves creating an opening in the skin of the neck to the windpipe, just below the larynx, or voicebox.

The hole is covered up in the day and left open at night to allow air to flow directly into your throat as you sleep. This surgery is the last resort because of the high risk of infection involved.