Do you know that besides the natural treatment options to cure snoring, there are various other cures as well. Surgery amongst all options is regarded to be a relatively permanent solution for curing this problem. More information about the different types of surgeries has been discussed in this article.
The intensity of your snoring may force you to leave your bedroom and sleep in another room, without your partner. It is a frustrating experience and if you have been trying various treatment options, only to find them ineffective, then you need not worry. It has become possible to cure snoring in this age of advanced medical development. While you must be done after trying numerous treatment methods, surgery can be a good option for you. Only those people are recommended surgery who have faced this problem for long and it has reached severe stages.
Surgery Options
Generally, there are four types of surgeries recommended by medical experts. Your doctor will suggest the most apt surgery for you, depending on the diagnosis of your problem. Before deciding to go for surgery, it is advisable to consider all the pros and cons of the treatment option. Before we know more about them, it is good to know what causes snoring. It primarily occurs due to an obstruction in the passage of air in the airways. There have been many reasons for complications arising due to snoring. Usually, snoring occurs due to poor muscle structure of throat tissues or due to the presence of fatty/bulky tissues in the throat. Obesity, stuffed nose, lack of physical activity and allergies like cold, flu, etc. are some major causes of snoring.
| Type of Surgery | Description | Concerns |
| Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP or UP3) | In this surgical process, surgeons remove the excess tissue in the throat to allow flow of more air through the air way. In this procedure, uvula; the fingerlike tissue hanging down from the back of mouth roof into the throat, soft palate; the part of mouth roof and any other excess tissue in the form of tonsils and adenoids is removed. | UP3 being the oldest and most invasive surgical procedure has several health risks like swelling, pain, infection, or bleeding and sleepiness or sudden period of no breathing. The cost of UP3 is higher compared to its effectiveness. Its effects are also temporary. Evidences have suggested that this form of surgery helps in stopping snoring but for few years only. |
| Laser-Assisted Uvuloplatoplasty (LAUP) | In this surgery, the surgeon uses a carbon dioxide laser to shorten the size of uvula and also vaporize parts of the palate. Before starting this surgery, anesthesia is administered in the soft palates and throats of a person. Generally, laser surgery is done in a span of four weeks, with one session each week. | There are not much evidences regarding the success of LAUP. Surgery in this form has, though, gained some recognition from numerous medical experts. Owing to less time and faster treatment option, people do prefer this form of surgery and the effect remains for a relatively longer time than that of a UP3 surgery. |
| Radiofrequency Volumetric Tissue Reduction (RFVTR) | Also known as somnoplasty, RFTVR is a snoring treatment technique developed in the late 1990s. It is approved by the FDA, and in this method a needle that is connected to a source of radio frequency signals is inserted in tissues, beneath surface layers of the cells. The cells are burnt at temperatures between 70 to 80 degree Celsius. The heated tissues are either destroyed or reabsorbed by the body in a period of four to six weeks. | Although, many patients may require more than 1 treatment, it has a higher success rate (almost 85%) as compared to UP3 or LAUP. It is also considered to be less painful than LAUP and it takes very less time (30 minutes) under local anesthesia. |
| Platal Stiffening (CAPSO) | Also known as Cautery-assisted palatal stiffening operation; in this surgery, the palate is burned to make it more stiff against sound vibrations. It is also called mucosal surgery as the mucosa along the uvula is removed in this process. | CAPSO, being a relatively new surgical option, relatively less information is available regarding CAPSO being an ideal option for snoring. |
Surgery is an option that must only be considered when all methods have been tried by doctors and there is no other way to cure it. The role of an expert surgeon is vital in minimizing risks and post operative complications. Think twice before you go for surgery to treat snoring and even when you do, find a very good medical expert for consultation and treatment.
