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 Side Effects and 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.

There are different types of snoring surgeries, and the one for your case will depend greatly on where you have an excess of tissue that is causing the sound. This way you have nasal surgery and palatal surgery, each one with a different range of prices.

Nasal surgery is performed to allow a better pass of air through the nose; this is achieved by correcting the nasal septum, taking out nasal polyps and repairing the nasal tissue linings. The average cost of this surgery is $2,000 a figure that also includes the extra charges for service, anesthesia, etc.

On the other hand, Palatoplasty is needed to correct problems in the soft palate and the back of the tongue. The ways your surgeon can perform this surgery are varied and the one for your case will be reflected on the cost of the snoring surgery. The costs usually will rang between $2,000 and $3,000 including again al the surcharges.

Another surgery used for snoring is Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). In this procedure, a surgeon will take out certain parts of the uvula and soft palate, along with tonsils to open up your airways. The average cost of this treatment in USA is $5,500.

Uvuloplasty (UPP) is a type of surgery where most of the uvula is remove through electrocautery, then the plate is burned across, making the scar tissue tighten up the palate. The cost for this procedure is in average $500. There is also a similar alternative using laser, called Laser-Assisted Uvuloplasty, with a higher cost of $1,500 in average.

Finally, you have somnoplasty, a snoring surgery option in which electrocautery is delivered through a needle to then be inserted in the soft palate. The scar resulting from this procedure will stiffen the area and prevent snoring. Like many other surgeries the effects can decline over the years, and it has an average cost of $1500.

In some cases, the snoring surgery cost can be really reduced, especially if we take into account that a significant amount can be reduced through a combination of Government Insurance and private insurance. However, you should read well what is covered and what is not covered in your private insurance company. Some companies will consider snoring surgery as a type o aesthetical surgery, therefore, avoiding its coverage.

We have to take into consideration a few things, and one of them is to know if this snoring problem is not caused by an underlying condition like sleep apnea. Because in the end, you should know that even if you have success with surgery it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have eliminated sleep apnea, and this condition can be very harmful for your health.

To determine if you have apneas during your sleep you must undergo a sleep study. Sometimes, snoring can appear occasionally like when you have nasal congestion, or when you had alcohol prior to going to sleep, but they also can bring induce apneas. Through a sleep study it will also be evaluated the severity of the apnea.

This problem must not be overlooked, and is something you need to keep in mind when deciding to have a snoring surgery. It has been estimated that almost 10 millions of people in America suffer from undiagnosed sleep apnea and you can be one of them.

A sleep apnea problem can be treated without the use of surgery or with surgery, and this needs to be determined by your doctor who will take a look at the severity of the apnea and the available snoring surgeries. To find a doctor that specializes in this area, you should look for otolaryngologists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons. I always advise people to try and seek doctors through referrals. In this case, you can even ask your trusted physician.

You can suspect your snoring is related to sleep apnea you have to check if your snoring problem does not respond to simple treatments.

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.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is perhaps the most effective surgery for snoring problems. It involves the removal of uvula, tonsils and few of the soft palates. However, it may not provide a long term solution and may barely last for about a couple of years. Also, it may prove to be too costly. You may also suffer from certain health risks. For instance, you may notice bleeding in the mouth area or uncomfortable feeling in the throat area.

Another type of surgery for snoring is Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty or LUAP. In this surgery, electric current or laser may be used to remove the soft palate and uvula. This surgical treatment may take huge amount of time and you may have to undergo several sessions.

The most preferred type of surgery for snoring is the Palatal surgery. It prevents the breakdown of oropharyngeal segment. In this procedure, tonsils are removed and the count of soft palate is reduced.

Palatal surgery is the most commonly performed type of surgery for snoring. The objective of this surgery is to prevent the occurrence of oropharyngeal segment breakdown. This procedure is carried out by reducing the amount of soft palates. The surgeons may even remove the tonsils in some cases.

Before opting for any particular type of surgery to treat snoring problems, you need to know that almost all surgical procedures pose certain risks. Therefore, consult a reputed physician before undergoing any such surgery