Surgical Snoring Solutions

Surgical options are generally saved for a last resort when it comes to snoring. There are several different procedures available that will be discussed here. The Pillar procedure is a good option for some people so there is a separate article focusing on just that.

Surgeries that stop snoring tend to focus on one specific structure. There are surgeries that affect the soft palate, tonsils, uvula, and adenoids. Pros and cons exist even with these surgical options, so be sure this is something you want before making a decision. I personally recommend trying any other possible options first due to the risks involved with surgery as well as the possibility that the operation may not work.

Operations That Are Available

The first procedure available is the uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. Really it’s just a huge word that means the doctor removes a lot of excess tissue to open your throat up. This surgery can work but it also has some major drawbacks. Since tissue is actually being removed in this procedure, it can cause some issues with eating or drinking for a while. This side effect has been known to last for several weeks.

There is also a considerable amount of pain to deal with after the operation. The pain can last for some time and is not the most pleasant thing around. The uvula is also involved in speech with certain words and languages. The largest risk with this procedure is the chance of causing sleep apnea. Sometimes scar tissue builds up after the surgery and makes things worse than before.

Add that to the fact that this procedure has a success rate of 75% at best and you really may want to look into some other options. The cost can also be a problem since some insurance companies will not pay for procedures like this.

There is a variation of the surgery above that is done with a laser. This method is thought to be a bit safer, but there isn’t much research available. The laser version can be repeated but that comes with the same pain after the operation every time. Going through the pain over and over again is the main downfall of this option.

The Somnoplasty

A somnoplasty is another option. This procedure does not involve removing any tissue. A somnoplasty shrinks structures and tissues in and around the airway to open it up. It involves electrodes and special energy and is a generally fast procedure. The somnoplasty is said to be less painful than some other options although it may be repeated several times before you see the results you want.

The Septoplasty

If your septum in the middle of your nose is causing you to snore then a septoplasty may be able to help you. A septoplasty is a procedure that fixes a deviated septum. Many people talk about a deviated septum, but few know what that means.

If you have a deviated septum that just means that the bone and cartilage in the middle of your nose favor one side instead of running perfectly down the middle. Obviously this procedure can’t help as many people as the other ones mentioned but it does carry less risk and is another pretty quick operation.

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