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Surgical Sleep Apnea Correction Procedures
There are many different varieties of surgery for sleep apnea and snoring. But CPAP is the first treatment option for anyone who has sleep apnea. Oral appliance therapy, in addition, is an alternative treatment option for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea. The participants of the sleep team will help you decide if surgery is right for you. Some of the surgical options include:
Radiofrequency Volumetric Tissue Reduction (RFVTR)
Radiofrequency ablation is a treatment choice for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea. It utilizes controlled cauterization to reduce and tighten the tissues in and around the throat. It can be used in the soft palate, tonsils, and tongue.
Septoplasty and Turbinate Reduction
This surgical option opens your nasal passage to improve the flow of air. Septoplasty corrects a bent or deviated nasal septum. This is the divider that separates the two sides of the nose. Turbinate reduction eliminates the curved structures that protrude from the side of the nose. They can be enlarged for a variety of reasons, including allergies. Medications also can help minimize the size of turbinates.
Genioglossus Advancement
During sleep, the tongue can recline back to block the space for breathing in your throat. This surgery moves the primary tongue attachment forward, opening up room for breathing behind the tongue. It involves making a slice in the lower jaw where the tongue attaches. This piece of bone (but not the entire jaw) is then pushed forward.
Weight loss surgery
Bariatric surgery can lead to weight loss and may improve sleep apnea in people who are obese. But weight loss surgery usually is prescribed because of other health risks related to obesity. Before weight loss surgery, you may be directed to a sleep physician for an evaluation and sleep study.
There are numerous types of weight loss surgery. Some procedures minimize the size of the stomach, making it harder to eat as much food. Each operation has different risks and advantages. People who are obese should work with their doctors to enforce other weight loss strategies before considering surgery. It would be best if you used CPAP before and after weight loss surgery.
Tracheostomy
This surgery is an appropriate treatment for sleep apnea. But it is a drastic last result that is used in rare, emergency situations. Other treatment options are preferable for nearly all patients with sleep apnea.
It includes placing a hollow breathing tube directly into your windpipe in the lower section of the neck. This tube can be input during the day, allowing you to breathe and speak, usually through your nose and mouth. At night the tube is opened to give room for you to breathe without any blockage in your throat.
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