I’ve been enduring my husband’s snoring for ages. And, it was a good thing he finally decided to visit a sleep doctor. The doctor advised him to purchase a CPAP machine. Unfortunately, he is having a hard time getting used to having a nasal mask on his face when he’s sleeping. Now, he is thinking of going for surgical intervention for sleep apnea. Is it safe? What are the possible surgical procedures that we should consider? Are there other solutions or treatments that we can consider?
Sleep apnea is the stopping of one’s breathing. It can happen for as short as ten seconds but it can last for a minute or even longer. Obstructive sleep apnea, also known as OSA, is the most common form of sleep apnea which occurs when the airways are blocked. This usually happens when the throat muscles that keep the airway open suddenly relax, causing the throat to collapse, blocking the airway and stopping the air from getting into the lungs.
Obstructive sleep apnea may also be caused by having large tonsils or adenoids that can obstruct the passage of air. Other anatomical differences like an enlarged tongue, a receding chin or a deviated septum can also cause difficulties in breathing. The shape of the head and the neck can also decrease the size of the airway, making it difficult for air to go through.
Usually, CPAP machines are recommended for such conditions. Your husband can, however, opt for a surgical intervention for sleep apnea. Today, the most common surgical procedure for patients who can’t stand using the CPAP machine is uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). This procedure involves the removal of excess tissues such as the uvula, the teardrop-shaped tissue that hangs at the end of your palate and the opening that leads to your esophagus. During this procedure, the flabby tissues in the throat area are also tightened.
Your husband can also consider getting a mandibular myotomy, a procedure that involves cutting a rectangular portion of the bone in the front part of the jaw where the tongue muscles are attached. This piece goes through a 90-degree rotation after it has been pulled upward. This causes the tongue to move six to ten millimeters forward, preventing it from obstructing the passageway.
Another form of surgical intervention for sleep apnea that your husband can consider is somnoplasty, the latest surgical procedure for getting rid of snoring and sleep apnea. This procedure involves decreasing the tissue in the air passages, freeing the throat from obstruction. During this procedure, the inner tissue of the tongue, throat or soft palate is heated for around thirty minutes with the use of an electrode that is attached to a radio frequency generator. The good thing about this procedure is that the treatment only shrinks the inner tissue of the tongue, not the outer tissue where the taste buds can be found. Unfortunately, this surgical intervention for sleep apnea is not covered by insurance companies yet because it is still an experimental procedure.
Before signing up your husband for a surgical intervention for sleep apnea, you should first consult your doctor and make sure that he refers you to a surgeon who is experienced in these matters. If your husband’s condition is not very severe, perhaps your doctor can suggest other measures like a change in lifestyle or the use of other devices that can help in preventing airway obstruction. Sometimes, the prevention of sleep apnea is as simple as getting a healthier lifestyle that involves exercise and abstinence from alcohol.