Healthy Living

The Surgical Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea

Final thoughts

Though we discussed almost all the surgical methods used in sleep apnea, the choice would ultimately depend on the site of the defect, judgment and skills of the surgeon. Some of the techniques are very safe, minimally invasive, and done under local anesthesia, while others may include more extensive correction of the airway. Depending on the chosen means there are some chances of complications like bleeding, infection of the surgical site, changes in speech, or difficulty in swallowing. Though complications are not common, it is still wise to get all the information regarding the benefits and risks, before going for any particular surgical procedure.

References

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  2. Cahali MB. Lateral pharyngoplasty: a new treatment for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome. Laryngoscope. 2003;113(11):1961-1968.
  3. Eckert DJ, Malhotra A. Pathophysiology of Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Proc Am Thorac Soc. 2008;5(2):144-153. doi:10.1513/pats.200707-114MG.
  4. ASAA. Surgery For Sleep Apnea. SleepApnea.org. https://www.sleepapnea.org/treat/sleep-apnea-treatment-options/sleep-apnea-surgery/. Accessed December 29, 2017.
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  6. Friedman M, Ibrahim HZ, Vidyasagar R, Pomeranz J, Joseph NJ. Z-palatoplasty (ZPP): a technique for patients without tonsils. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2004;131(1):89-100. doi:10.1016/j.otohns.2004.06.103.