So there you have it. You’ve already tried all the anti snoring devices you could find, but still none of them work. So now you’re considering stop snoring surgery to finally get rid of that annoying problem. Before finally venturing into the world of surgery, it is best to get yourself acquainted with the types of anti snoring surgeries there are, and what are the possible complications that come with each.
• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) – In this procedure, the uvula and the pharyngeal arches are removed. This is done under a general anesthetic. Some post operative complications can include nasopharyngeal regurgitation, long term voice changes, and persistent palatal dryness. Post operative pain can be severe.
• Laser Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) – This procedure vaporizes the free edge of the soft palate and the uvula by the use of a laser. It is considered more safe and economical than UPPP, although post-operative pain is reported to be the same. This can also be difficult to perform to a person with a severe gag reflex.
• Palatal Stiffening (CAPSO) – This procedure burns the palate which causes fibrosis and stiffening of the soft palate. This procedure is less invasive than UPPP and LAUP, and lesser complications have been reported. However, post operative pain remains severe.
• Somnoplasty (Radio–Frequency Ablation) – This shrinks redundant tissue of the soft palate. The inner tissue is heated causing scarring. This procedure can take only 20 minutes and is minimally invasive. There are also lesser complications, but several treatments may be done in order to get maximum effectiveness.
Any stop snoring surgery has its own pro’s and con’s so it’s best to read up about each one. Remember that surgeries can have post operative complications and may not even be 100% effective. So make sure that you’ve tried all anti snoring devices out there before making the decision to finally go under surgery.