Surgical treatment of snoring and sleep apnoea

Snoring is a problem that affects the quality of life and general health condition of both the patient and his/her close ones.  Quite often, snoring occurs as one of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSA).

OSA is a syndrome that occurs in 1 of 50 adults on the average, and most often, in those who have overweight. The symptoms are caused by the excess tissue in the mouth (soft palate) and/or the throat (tonsils, uvula). A person who snores experiences difficulty to sleep at night, suffers from daytime sleepiness, and experiences difficulty to concentrate.

The patient with suspected OSA has to undergo diagnostic examinations, and further therapy shall be determined based on the results thereof. The diagnostic examination consists of two procedures: polysomnography (a test that is performed while the patient is sleeping with the duration of snoring and the frequency of episodes of breathing cessation recorded) and examination of the nose and the throat with a flexible endoscope.

For overweight patients with diagnosed OSA, the first step towards healing will be weight control.

The most effective method for the treatment of snoring and sleep apnoea is uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, or, in other words, a surgical treatment that involves removing extra tissue in the throat. This helps to widen up the airways allowing the airflow to enter the lower airways.

How is the surgery performed

The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia, and it usually takes 1.5 hours to complete. During the procedure, the palatine tonsils and part of the soft palate and the uvula are removed. An uvulopalatal flap from the excess mucosa of the uvula and the soft palate is formed; it is lifted up and attached to the soft palate with self-dissolving stitches. This procedure lifts the soft palate upward creating more space behind the soft palate allowing the air flow to pass without obstruction.  In order to fix the lateral pharyngeal walls, the anterior and posterior faucial pillars are then sutured together at the end of the procedure.

Post-surgery period and recovery

• Sports and other active physical activity are not recommended for a period of one week after the surgery;

• Eating fruits (except bananas), honey, as well as drinking carbonated beverages and fruit juices are discouraged for 1 week after the surgery;  Eating soft foods is recommended;

• The patient should refrain from smoking for 2 weeks; frequent coughing or expectorating should be avoided;

• Pain is generally felt for about 3 weeks;

• Alteration of voice can be observed for approximately 6 weeks;

• The results of the surgery are seen after the surgical wounds heal completely and swelling of the soft palate subsides (approximately after 3–4 weeks)