Surgical Procedures

After other treatment options have been fully explored, surgery may be discussed. For instance, surgery may play a role in such cases as when a deviated nasal septum or greatly enlarged tonsils are determined to be a factor causing sleep apnea. Chronic snorers will also often opt for surgical solutions to alleviate their problem if other therapies fail.

The most commonly performed surgical procedures for sleep apnea include nasal surgery (where obstructions such as a deviated septum may be removed), somnoplasty (a minimally-invasive procedure to reduce the soft tissue in the upper airway), mandibular maxillar advancement surgery (where facial abnormalities and/or throat obstructions can be corrected), and UPPP (which stands for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, the procedure for removal of soft tissue on the back of the throat and palate to increase the width of the airway at the throat opening). Surgery may also be needed to correct physical problems that cause snoring. Surgical options include somnoplasty, palate surgery, and tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, where the tonsils and/or adenoids are removed to prevent snoring.

Surgical procedures vary in how invasive or non-invasive they are, as well as recovery timeframes and “down-time” from work, etc. Before any decision is made regarding surgical solutions, you will be fully educated on the procedure, any associated risks, and the desired outcome by our team of specialized board-certified doctors. Mt. Scott ENT & Sleep Medicine is ready to help guide you through all stages of treatment & recovery, so give us a call today!