What are the surgical procedures to treat sleep apnea?

Question

Hello doctor,

I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and am unsure what surgery I should do. Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

I reviewed your report (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity).

What surgical procedure was advised by your ENT (ear, nose, throat) doctor?

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is the standard medical therapy with the highest evidence for efficacy. Have you taken CPAP for sleep apnea before?
Oral appliances for obstructive sleep apnea are also one of the treatments that work by advancing the lower jaw, thus opening the airway by repositioning the lower jaw and pulling the tongue forward. However, it may take weeks for maximal adaptation. Oral appliances are most often used for treating patients who cannot tolerate CPAP.
Upper airway surgery for obstructive sleep apnea is less efficacious than CPAP and is mainly reserved for patients who snore, have mild obstructive sleep apnea, or cannot tolerate CPAP.
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (removal of the uvula and the margin of the soft palate) is the most commonly performed surgery for obstructive sleep apnea.
I suggest that CPAP is the most effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.
If there is a need for surgery, kindly visit an experienced surgeon and discuss it in detail, and do not decide on your own for any surgical procedure.
You can try oral appliances with guidance from a respiratory medicine specialist.

Please reply if you have any further related queries about it.

I hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.