Surgical Management
Surgery is an effective and safe treatment option for many patients with snoring and sleep apnea, particularly those who are unable to use or tolerate CPAP. Proper patient and procedure selection are critical to successful surgical management of obstructive sleep apnea. Talk to one of our ENT doctors for a complete evaluation and to learn what treatment may be best for you.
Tonsillectomy. Tonsils are organs located at the back of the throat. When they get enlarged, they lead to obstruction of the oral airway. This condition is more common in children than in adults. The procedure (tonsillectomy) involves the surgical resection of enlarged tonsils.
Uvulectomy. The uvula is the “punching bag” in the back of the throat. When it gets enlarged or elongated, it may contribute to obstructive sleep apnea. A uvulectomy involves surgical resection of the uvula, and it is usually done in conjunction with other procedures, like the Pillar Procedure or tonsillectomy.
Inspire Treatment. This is an FDA-cleared treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. It is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, and it involves the placement of an implantable neurostimulation device under the skin of the neck and chest through three small incisions. The device delivers mild stimulation to key upper airway muscles to keep the airway open when patients sleep.
Ultimately, effective treatment of obstructive sleep apnea depends on the proper diagnosis and location of the anatomic source of the problem.
