Snoring
Surgery
…match the options with the cause!
I am sure there have been those who have wanted to do their own Snoring Surgery at say three o’clock
in the morning when their partner is snoring loud enough to wake the neighbors two blocks away!
The frustration of trying to sleep, while witness to such a repetitive and annoying noise, is something none of
us should have to endure, and with proper treatment, we don’t really have to.
We know that snoring is involuntary, difficult to control and certainly not curable without major snoring surgery. It can be controlled with the use of a variety of
devices and strategies if the snoring is mild in nature or of the temporary kind.
If snoring becomes a major issue however, your doctor may suggest snoring surgery, of which there are at least
four different categories. They may be used separately or in combination.
The four groups of surgery used for snoring control are as follows:
1…Uvula
Surgery.
The Uvula is the little fleshy thing that hangs down in the back of your throat,
like a little fleshy finger.Basically this is cut to clear any obstruction in the throat and can be laser
assisted. The UPPP becomes LAUP when it’s laser assisted! (Laser Assisted Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: - probably
easier to do than say!) Evidently the specialist that would consider this procedure would be an Ear, Nose and
Throat specialist or (wait for it….) an Otolaryngologist.
2…Nasal Surgery.
This is for those who have snoring problems caused by a blockage in the nasal
septum, usually termed a deviated septum. This surgery often results in improved breathing both day and
night.
3…Tongue Procedures.
These surgeries are called ‘Repose’ or Tongue Suspension Procedures and they
will attempt to prevent the tongue from falling to the back of the throat during sleep. The procedure is
permanent and requires insertion of a small screw into the jaw and part of the tongue being stitched to it.
This connection prevents the tongue from blocking the throat during sleep.
4…Samnoplasty.
This is the method used to shrink the tissues of the throat and uvula. The full
name of this procedure is Radio Frequency Tissue Ablation. Obviously the procedure uses electrode needles that
release energy to shrink the excess tissue.
Of course your doctor will be the one to advise you on the correct procedure and help you understand what would
be involved and what the after-effects would be.
Surgery of course would be the ultimate solution and tends to be the last resort when everything else you have
tried hasn’t really worked.
Sometimes Snoring Surgery is the only remaining process available to help you with your sleep
disorder. Make sure you explore all the options with your doctor and understand fully what is
involved.
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