Stop Snoring Surgery – What Procedures Are Available?

Stop snoring surgery is a last resort treatment for someone who has a snoring problem.  In order to understand why such a drastic measure might be necessary it’s important that we first understand the underlying cause of the problem.

Snoring is known to be the end result of the vibration happening in the upper airway which includes the throat, mouth and the nose. Due to blockages, turbulence is caused during respiration. While we breathe throughout the day, we only snore at night because our muscle tone is very much reduced when we are sleeping which encourages the collapse of these tissues.

Snoring can basically originate anywhere from the nose down to the vocal chords. Recently, researchers have grown aware of the role that the tongue has in increasing an individuals likelihood of snoring.  The tongue can roll back and cause a physical obstruction in the airway, making a collapsed airway even worse.  In circumstances where the airway is blocked due to a severe physical obstruction often times stop snoring surgery is the only permanent solution.

Snoring is an involuntary activity and it can not be controlled simply by a strong will and a good head on your shoulders. Any one who has ever spent a night snoring knows that often times snoring remedies can be even more bothersome than the snoring itself. The key to dealing with snoring is to treat the problem effectively and with the least amount of nighttime discomfort.

On rare occasions an individual’s snoring problem is severe enough to warrant surgery. This usually is a last resort if CPAP and BiPAP methods have failed to provide much needed relief to the sufferer.

There are various surgical procedures that address the underlying causes of snoring, and can provide lifelong relief for the sufferer.

A patient will meet with a otolaryngologist where many physiological factors will be accounted for to determine what if any surgical operation will be utilized to treat the patient.

There Are Different Types Of Stop Snoring Surgery

One of the treatments is known as Tongue Suspension or Repose. The procedure is performed by inserting a small screw under the tongue and into the jaw. This screw prevents the tongue from obstructed the airway during sleep, thus causing the individual to snore. This option must be carefully evaluated as it is not easily reversible, and it only applies to patients who’s root cause of snoring is obstruction from the tongue.

A deviated nasal septum can also contribute to the snoring problem. When an individual has a deviated septum one of the nostrils is blocked and it becomes extremely difficult to breathe. This obstruction can be fixed by a relatively minor surgical procedure known as a septoplasty. It is often performed in less than an hour, and the patient returns home the same day. For this reason, if an individual has a deviated septum it might be wise to correct the problem through this operation before considering any other surgical options.

LAUP or Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty is an advanced modification of another stop snoring surgery known as Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty or UPPP. This procedure works by severing the uvula (this is the dangling tissue in the back of your mouth). This operation works most efficiently when the persistent problem is caused by the uvula blocking your airway.

Another treatment which involves work on the uvula is Radio Frequency Tissue Ablation, also known as Samnoplasty, is a relatively new surgery approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

If the individual doesn’t fit the necessary prerequisites for either of these stop snoring surgeries, Coblation-Channeling may also be considered by the surgeon as a viable surgical option. Coblation-Channeling involves the use of radio frequencies to remove tissue inside the nose that is obstructing the movement of air into the lungs and causing snoring vibrations. The amount of tissue removed by the physician is dependent upon the individual, and the severity of their snoring problem.
Lastly, Coblation-Channeling

It is highly recommended that you explore other options outside of surgical treatment, due to the risks and invasiveness involved with surgical procedures. However, if stop snoring products fail to provide you with relief you absolutely should not hesitate to visit your physician to discuss your options.