Sleep Apnea Surgery

Sleep apnea surgery can help people with severe apnea, a sleep disorder that can be very problematic. The condition can cause the individual to stop breathing during while sleeping, creating a potentially deadly situation. Surgical procedures address specific problems according to the patient’s needs.

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No one likes the idea of going under the knife but in some cases of sleep apnea, it is necessary. Determining the specific causes of apena is an important step in the process. Some recommend that you get a second opinion if a doctor suggests surgery for sleep apnea because of the possible downside to surgical procedures.

The first step is to talk to your primary care physician about the condition. You may find simple changes in lifestyle can be of great benefit, making surgical procedures unnecessary. Your physician may recommend an ear, nose and throat specialist who can determine if there are any structural problems leading to the apnea.

The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that patients see a sleep disorder specialist before undergoing a surgical procedure for the sleep disorder. A sleep study may be necessary to determine the best approach for your specific condition.

In an article, Sleep Apnea and Same Day Surgery, the American Sleep Apnea Association discusses the complications of using anesthesia on patients who have this sleep disorder. Anesthesia curtails the muscle activity in the airway passage. It is extremely important to have proper monitoring after using anesthesia, whether you have a same day procedure or not.

Sleep apnea surgery is appropriate when other approaches fail to achieve results. In some cases, structural problems in the nose, tongue or throat interfere with the ability to breathe while sleeping.

The uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP procedure) is a popular choice for dealing with breathing obstruction while sleeping. The approach addresses structural problems in the throat and the roof of the mouth. Removing excess tissue from this region opens the airway passage while preventing a collapse of tissue in the throat that can lead to obstructed breathing.

UPPP removes excess tissue in the soft palate in the back of the mouth. Some procedures shorten the uvula while others completely remove this portion. The adenoids and tonsils are commonly removed during this procedure.

Laser assisted uvula palatoplasty (LAUP) treats snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea using local anesthesia in an outpatient procedure. The procedure uses lasers to remove obstructive tissue in the back of the throat and the soft palate. LAUP is not always completed in one session. Patients can expect up to five treatments, but many find relief after a couple visits.

Structural problems can lead to obstructed airway passages. Surgeries can help open the airway passage if bone or tissues are preventing proper airflow. Approaches include:

• Nasal polypectomy that removes polyps (small growths in the nasal passage).
• Nasal septoplasty repairs malformations in the nasal passage. A patient with a deviated septum could benefit from this approach.
• Glossectomy involves removing part of the tongue as well as some excess tissue in the throat.
• Maxillomandibular advancement is reserved for life threatening cases in which other approaches have not been successful.
• Tongue suspension is a relatively new approach that uses a screw attached to the tongue with surgical thread to keep the airway passage open.

A tracheostomy completely bypasses the obstructed airway by creating an opening in the throat. A tracheostomy tube is placed in the lower neck, directly in the passage connecting the voice box to the lungs. Physicians use this approach for people who are not candidates for other interventions, particularly morbidly obese patients.

Bariatric surgery is a procedure that helps people to lose weight. In some cases, individuals with sleep apnea can overcome the sleep problem by getting rid of excess fat in the neck and throat region. While this approach is not intended to treat the sleep condition, relief from sleep apnea can be a pleasant side effect of the surgical procedure over time.

Sleep apnea surgery can benefit people who have this sleep disorder but it is important to keep in mind that CPAP machines do work. Those who are discouraged by the drawbacks of CPAP machines may want to consider a surgical procedure that address the cause of the apnea. Sleep apnea treatments typically begin with the least intrusive approach as well as a consultation with a physician or sleep specialist.

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