Snoreplasty

Snoreplasty is a procedure for reducing or eliminating snoring.

Snoreplasty is performed in the office under local anesthesia and the procedure takes 15 to 20 minutes.

Snoreplasty surgery is done in one to three stages with each stage causing more tightening of the soft palate and uvula.

After each treatment, the patient will have a mild sore throat which lasts for two weeks. If symptoms repeat, the next stage is performed six to eight weeks later.

Injection snoreplasty:

Injection snoreplasty is a nonsurgical treatment for snoring that involves the injection of a hardening agent into the upper palate.

Injection snoreplasty is performed on outpatient basis under local anesthesia. The upper palate is numbed with anesthesia and hardening agent is injected just under the skin on the top of the mouth in front of the uvula, creating a small blister.

Within few days, the blister hardens and scar tissue is formed. It pulls the floppy uvula forward to eliminate or reduce the palatal flutter that causes snoring.

Following injection, an inflammatory reaction is created in the tissues of the patient’s soft palate. During healing, fibrosis of the injected region occurs in which stiffening fibers of collagen are laid down within the palate. This fibrosis process stiffens the soft palate and in turn reduces snoring.

For optimum benefits, the treatment should be repeated. If snoring occurs from vibrations beyond the palate and uvula, and sleep apnea is suspected, further tests should be done and other alternative treatments are advised.

Consult the specialist and get it examined the ear, throat and nose to diagnose the type of snoring and determine whether injection snoreplasty is helpful.

Snoreplasty surgery:

After injection, patient is observed in the clinic and then sent home. Sprays are suggested for pain management. Patients can return to the work next day after the procedure.

Snoring continues for few days after the surgery but it eventually lessens. To evaluate the effects of procedure, post procedure sleep test should be conducted.

Patient can feel sore throat or feeling that something is struck in the back of the mouth. Mild discomfort in the roof of the mouth can occur. Elevate the head of the bed with an extra pillow.

Most meals can be tolerated but preference should be given to soft foods with minimum fiber material that may scratch the healing throat tissues after the injection snoreplasty. Avoid hot fluids until the throat settles.

Snoreplasty benefits:

It is inexpensive, painless and highly effective. Snoring is improved in 80 to 85 percent of patients undergoing snoreplasty.

The procedure is tolerable and most people go to work the next day. The results are promising and equal to the results of complex procedures like somnoplasty and laser palatoplasty.

Injection snoreplasty treats only when the snoring is due to soft palate. It is a good technique for women with early snoring and also in men who have minimum distortion of the soft palate and no additional causes in other parts of the airway that contribute to snoring.