Successful snoring surgery depends on the accurate identification of the factors which are responsible for the snoring in each person. A personalized approach is usually required as there is no single snoring surgery that works well for everyone.
There are different upper airway surgery procedures and they include:
- Nose procedures
It is considered pivotal to perform nasal surgery first for patients with an abnormal nasal airway before considering to any other form of treatment, surgery or otherwise. Commonly performed nasal operations include septoplasty, turbinoplasty and/or rhinoplasty.
- Palate procedures
In majority of patients, soft palate, tonsils, uvula or the outer walls of the pharynx (throat) are major contributors to snoring. Procedures at this level mainly aim to reduce the speed and turbulence of the airflow during sleep. Commonly performed palate procedures are Expansion Pharyngoplasty, Modified UPPP or U3P (Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty), Lateral Pharyngoplasty as well as Tonsillectomy.
- Tongue procedures
In some individuals, there is additional collapse at the level of back of the tongue, which is known as base of tongue, which contributes to snoring. If evaluation reveals this to be the case, your surgeon will discuss with you the following options: Lingual Tonsillectomy, Tongue Channelling and Tongue Base Reduction.
Snoring Diagnosis
The type of procedure you need normally depends on which parts of your upper airway are contributing to the snoring. Your surgeon diagnoses this by assessing your entire upper airway in a thorough, step-by-step fashion. He/she can also organize a sleep study to look at how bad the problem is. Following the assessment, your surgeon will discuss with you all suitable management options.
The surgery
Snoring surgery is normally performed under general anesthesia and can take 2-3 hours. Most patients go home the same day if they are deemed fit for discharge.
After the surgery, post-operative pain is usually expected and can be managed by different painkillers. Maintaining nutrition and hydration with fluids and soft diet is essential. Most of the discomfort that you may feel will resolve in 7-10 days or so. You can return to your routine activities including work that is not too physically demanding the following day. But you should keep off excessive physical exertion for about two weeks.
Next Step
At King’s College Hospital Dubai, we focus on offering an exemplary service from initial consultation through to the final diagnosis and treatment and beyond. Our team of expert doctors and nurses are here to offer tailored management and treatment of your condition, and to answer any questions that you might have throughout your time with us. Whatever you need us for, we’re only a phone-call away.
If you’d like to book an appointment, simply fill in the appointment form below.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
