Snoring is certainly a tough condition to have because not only it affects your sleep, but if you have a partner or spouse, they may be suffering too from the loud noise during the night. One option to get rid of this is through snoring surgery. The most common type of procedure used is LAUP, however there is a method known as Somnoplasty that has helped many people reduce their snoring levels. Read on to learn more about it.
Somnoplasty was developed as an alternative to snoring surgery without the pain and discomfort that traditional surgical methods brought; the goal of the procedure id to remove tissues of the uvula and the soft palate so there is a better flow of air during the night, eliminating the vibrations that cause the distinctive sound of snoring. This procedure is done under complete control monitoring every important aspect in detail; the low levels of radiofrequency heat energy also give the doctor the complete control needed for this operation.
Somnoplasty is performed in an outpatient setting using local anesthesia: before commencing the procedure, the doctor will use orals pray in the mouth to numb the area and then apply three small injections in the roof of the mouth; thanks to the oral spray you’ll only feel a minor discomfort when the injections are applied. The whole procedure takes usually less than 15 minutes and is done with the help of the Somnus gun device which delivers controlled thermal energy to the uvula and soft palate.
Once Somnoplasty is finished, you’ll need to take proper care of the area using directed over-the-counter analgesics. Know that immediately after surgery, snoring may get worse as the tissues are swollen and enlarged; improvement will become noticeable after a couple of weeks and with months the results will keep improving. It is also recommended you sleep with your head elevated for several nights after the treatment.
Somnoplasty Complications
As with any type of surgery, you run the risk of encountering complications. Although the great majority of cases are considered a success, you should weigh the risks by responsibly learning about these potential complications:
Failure to eliminate snoring problems. In these cases another more aggressive surgery may be needed.
Inability to cure sleep apnea and related problems.
Change in pitch of the voice, velopharyngeal insufficiency and nasal regurgitation. These are rare complications but are still a possibility.
Prolonged infection, pain and even bleeding.
Somnoplasty can also result in tissue loss by burn.