Sometimes, a snore surgery may be necessary to end the condition. These operations can be performed using surgical techniques. One such operation is somnoplasty. This involves the use of heat energy to modify tissues. This procedure takes place in an office setting with local anesthesia. People with sleep apnea should not undergo this procedure.
Results of snore operations
There are several surgical options to treat snoring. The majority of surgical procedures work well and can reduce or even eliminate snoring. Some procedures can improve the sound level and reduce the size of the soft palate, which contributes to snoring. The patient's individual results will determine the outcome of a sleep operation.
Recent studies have shown that minimally invasive surgery is possible to reduce snoring. The results for patients suffering from sleep apnea are not encouraging. Patients often want minimally invasive surgery to stop their snoring, despite the lack of evidence.
MMA surgery
MMA surgery to relieve snoring may help a person sleep better and breathe easier. The radiofrequency energy used to create controlled lesion in the soft tissue causing obstruction. The scarring reduces tissue volume and stiffens remaining tissue. This can be done in various areas of the nasal airway, including the soft palette, the base and the tongue. It is performed under local anesthesia.
The success rate of MMA surgery is very high. Two to three weeks after the surgery, patients can resume normal functioning. The procedure is best performed by a highly skilled surgeon.
Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty
Laser-assisted, or LAUP, uvulopalatoplasty is a procedure to treat the causes of loud and habitual snoring. It is performed with local anesthesia. To open the oropharyngeal and nasal airways, a CO2 laser will be used. Even though it can't completely eliminate snoring all kinds, LAUP has shown promising results for reducing the severity and duration of upper airway resistance syndrome.
LAUP is an all-in-one procedure that can be performed under local sedation. A highly skilled ENT physician performs the procedure. The patient is then positioned in a seated posture while wearing protective glasses. The surgeon will first apply a 10% liquidocaine solution to the base of the tongue and the palate. In addition, 2% mepivacaine is injected on either side of the base of the uvula. A hand piece attaches the laser to the patient's lips. This is a common surgery procedure. A "backstop" prevents the laser damaging the posterior of the pharynx.
Ruhrpumpen surgery
Many people suffer from snoring and find that medication and lifestyle changes are not sufficient to alleviate their problem. In these cases, Ruhrpumpen surgery may be the only option. This surgical procedure uses radiofrequency energy to create controlled lesions in soft tissues. These scars narrow the airway and strengthen the remaining tissue. This procedure can be done on many areas of the airway including the base of the tongue and soft palate. The procedure is done under local anesthesia.
Patients who have severe or chronic snoring may also benefit from this surgery. The surgery involves the removal of excess tissue from the throat and sometimes the upper uvula. While it has been used to treat chronic sleep apnea for decades, new techniques have been developed to improve their results.