Important Sleep Apnea Surgery Methods
Frequently it has been found that CPAP devices are rejected by some sleep apnea patients. In some cases it is not possible to widen the airway sufficiently through the use of these devices. In such situations, sleep apnea surgery is the recommended recourse.
Many different surgical methods are available to provide treatment to such patients of sleep apnea. The surgical methods help correct physical issues that cause blockage of the airway. Such issues include enlarged adenoids or tonsils or both. Some children face specifically these issues.
Other such issues include growths such as nasal polyps, a deviated nasal septum, a soft palate, or structural anomaly in the jaw. Soft palate revision for sleep apnea is very much possible through a surgical method.
However, nasal surgery may not be very successful to stop snoring completely. The most commonly used surgical methods for the treatment of sleep apnea patients include uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), laser-assisted uvulapalatoplasty (LAUP), and somnoplasty. Other surgical methods used include tracheostomy, maxillofacial surgery, and some other surgical procedures. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): The uvula, parts of the soft palate, and the tonsils and adenoids are usually removed through this surgical method. It is the most widely used surgical method for the treatment of sleep apnea patients. It helps reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). After the surgery, CPAP therapy may still be needed. The surgical procedure is not normally used in the case of children. Laser-assisted uvulapalatoplasty (LAUP): In this surgical method, a laser device is used to remove tissue at the back of the mouth. LAUP is used to temporarily reduce snoring and in the case of upper airway resistance observed in some sleep apnea patients. However, there are still some doubts about the efficacy of this surgical method. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has not provided its approval to LAUP as a method for the treatment of sleep apnea. Somnoplasty: This surgical method is used to remove tissues of the soft palate and the uvula. It is an outpatient procedure that lasts about 30 minutes. It can be used for obstructive sleep apnea and to remove nasal obstruction arising from enlarged turbinates. A computerized radiofrequency generator provides the low-power and low-temperature energy to coagulate the tissue underneath the turbinates, palate, or even that at the base of the tongue. It helps shrink the soft tissue in the upper airway. It has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It permanently reshapes the palate and makes it stiffer. This helps reduce the vibrations of the palate and clears the upper airway. Surgery for children: Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are the recommended methods used for sleep apnea surgery in the case of children. This is because it is the enlarged tonsils and adenoids that are mainly responsible for the incidence of sleep apnea in children.
Sleep Apnea
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