Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty:

It is not only the oldest, but also the most invasive surgical procedures to cure snoring problems. This surgery involves the removal of uvula, tonsils and some parts of the soft palate, and enlargement of the nasal airway. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty or UPPP removes the soft tissue that often vibrates when the person snores. This helps to clear any kind of nasal blockage. This surgery is not effective, when it comes to treating snoring caused due to improper functions of tongue.

Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty

This is the most common surgery for treating snoring. In this procedure, a carbon dioxide laser is used to vaporize some parts of the uvula. The patient may be administered with a local anaesthetic before starting the surgery. The procedure can be completed in just about half an hour. However, a patient may be required to undergo 3-5 sessions of the same. Also, Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty has a good success rate.

Somnoplasty:

Somnoplasty is also referred to as radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction (RFVTR). It is a recently developed surgical procedure and involves shrinking of the tissues in the soft palate, tongue or throat. It takes around 30 minutes to execute this surgery. This is perhaps the most effective surgical procedure in treating snoring. It is relatively much painless and has a better success rate than Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty.

Tonsilectomy:

Tonsilectomy is a less invasive surgical procedure and hence, is less painful. It involves stabilization of tongue’s base, thereby preventing it from falling backward while sleeping. In this procedure, a titanium screw is tucked into the lower jaw and a suture is made to pass through the base of the tongue and is then fixed with the screw. The major drawback of this procedure is that it takes much time to heal.

Finally, consult your physician before undergoing any such snoring surgery procedures.