Somnoplasty of soft palate.

• Septoplasty to straighten a deviated or crooked nasal air passage
• Turbinate surgery to shrink the ridges in the nose, may use Somnoplasty device
• Sinus surgery

Procedures on the palate and throat include:

• Uvulo-palato-pharyngoplasty or UPPP - removes some of the uvula and soft palate
• Tonsil removal
• Laser assisted UPPP or LAUP - uses a laser to remove excess tissue
• Mandibular Advancement or Hyoid Suspension - moves the tongue or lower jaw to enlarge the airway space in the back of the throat
• Somnoplasty - This is a quick (typically less than 30 minutes) outpatient procedure to reduce snoring and mild cases of sleep apnea by using a special needle to cause a small area of scarring and shrinkage of excess tissue in the soft palate or nose. This is very effective in reducing nasal congestion and allowing other treatments for snoring and sleep apnea to be more effective.

Non-Surgical Treatments for Sleep Apnea & Snoring
Snoring and milder cases of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) are often helped by sleeping on the side or stomach, and eliminating use of pain medications, muscle relaxants and alcohol in the evening hours. Weight loss is helpful in many cases, but treating the condition and improving sleep will enhance the daytime energy level, leading to better long term weight loss results. Dental appliances that move the lower jaw forward during sleep are useful when dealing with milder cases of sleep apnea and snoring. These devices have been used successfully in combination with surgery or nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), as well. Use of dental appliances is generally prohibited if you have dentures, poorly maintained teeth, or problems with TMJ or jaw joint discomfort.  

Nasal CPAP is used to treat all levels of sleep apnea. A soft nasal mask or nasal pillow inserts are placed over or into the nose and are held in place using an elastic strap. This mask is connected to a small air-blower using a length of tubing. The device blows a controlled amount of room air under light pressure through the nose and into the airway, preventing collapse. It is enough to prevent collapse, yet you can easily breathe in and out against the flow. This method of treatment is 100% effective when adjusted correctly, with immediate results. Thousands of patients world-wide have benefited from CPAP since its invention in the mid 1980's.

The CPAP is adjusted during a sleep study to determine the lowest effective level needed to eliminate snoring and breathing events while in all levels of sleep, and all body positions. Some nasal side effects are common for the first several weeks, such as congestion, dryness or runny nose. These have been alleviated by the development of heated humidifier units that attach to the CPAP. If these persist, use of prescribed nasal medication sprays can be obtained from your physician, Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist, or allergist.

Some patients develop a less common type of sleep apnea called Central Sleep Apnea where the brain forgets to tell the body to breathe during sleep. This may be seen in premature infants and in adults who have either congestive heart failure or a neurological condition such as a stroke, muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome, etc. If severe, treatment for this condition usually requires treating the underlying condition, use of certain medications and possible use of supplemental oxygen or specialized types of CPAP during sleep.