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Snoring & Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Snoring takes place when there is an obstruction
to the free flow of air through the passages at the back of the mouth
and nose. If the throat tissue is bulky or the soft palate and/or uvula
is to long, they will vibrate (pesky snoring noise) as they strike each
other while breathing.
Laser Assisted Uvulo-Palato-Plasty (LAUP) is the procedure currently being
used in our practice to treat snoring. A CO2 laser is used to pare the
enlarged tissues in the back of the mouth. By contracting these tissues,
normal airflow is restored and snoring is improved. The LAUP is performed
under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting. Recovery consist of a
sore throat for approximately one week.
RAUP
Radio Frequency assisted uvuloplasty is used to treat patients who suffer from snoring. A telfar-coated needle is utilized to damage and constrict the palate. Because there is no open wound the patient experiences little discomfort and may return to work the next day. This procedure may be repeated several times to provide additional help with snoring. In most cases, the LAUP is followed with the RAUP after a time interval of several months.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs when snoring
is temporarily and frequently halted by completely obstructed breathing.
To ensure airflow to the lungs, the individual's body protects itself
by remaining tense and sleeping lightly. Individuals who suffer from sleep
apnea may feel tired throughout the day. Long term effects of sleep apnea
include heart enlargement and high blood pressure because of the repeated
stress placed on the body.
Depending on the diagnosis, several treatments are available. In addition
to treating snoring, an LAUP may also be effective with sleep apnea. However,
a UPPP (Uvulopalatopharygoplasty) is the most common treatment of sleep
apnea. In a UPPP, the surgeon excises the soft and weak tissues in the
throat and palate, therefore expanding the air passages. A UPPP is done
as an outpatient and requires approximately a full week of recovery time.
Septoplasty
Septoplasty is the surgical procedure performed to correct the shape of the septum. The septum is the partition that divides the nostrils. The septum has two major functions: support the nose and the mucous membranes of the nose and regulate airflow into the nasal cavity. A septoplasty is often needed when a patient is undergoing a reductive rhinoplasty (reducing the size of the nose). More common however, a septoplasty is performed to correct a deviated septum, ensuring better airflow into the nose. A setoplasy is done in an outpatient setting and takes approximately one hour. Recovery symptoms are similar to that of a cold, patients complain of stuffiness. This will lessen as the tissue heals and swelling decreases. Full recovery is expected in approximately seven days.
Laser Turbinate Reduction
Laser Turbinate Reduction is a more conservative procedure done under local anesthesia to improve breathing. During this procedure the enlarged turbinates are targeted using a laser. The laser trims the turbinates to ensure better breathing. Sometimes, Laser Turbinate Reduction is paired with a septoplasty for optimum results. Laser Turbinate reduction does not require down time, patients generally return to regular activities the next day.
