Sleep apnea is when a person’s breathing stops and starts during sleep. It is a common disease that may hinder the body’s ability to receive adequate oxygen. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when the muscles at the back of your throat relax excessively, obstructing airflow. This condition can lead to poor sleep quality, daytime fatigue and over time, increase the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and other health complications.
While there are various treatment options available, such as lifestyle changes, CPAP therapy, and sleep apnea surgery, it is sometimes considered for those who do not respond to non-invasive treatments.
What is sleep apnea surgery, and what are its types?
The main purpose of sleep apnea surgery is to remove, reposition, or shrink the tissues that obstruct airflow, making it easier for the person to breathe during sleep. Doctors only suggest surgery for patients with mild to severe OSA, and it is typically not an option for those with central sleep apnea.
Sometimes, doctors can treat obstructive sleep apnea with surgery. In order to undertake one of the following types of surgery, a surgeon must be aware of the precise etiology of the condition.
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
Extra tissue from the back of your mouth and the top of your throat will be removed during this procedure. It’s usually only done if you can’t use a CPAP machine or other device and tends to be used as a snoring treatment.
Genioglossus Advancement
A surgical treatment that makes the tongue stiffer and less foldable when you sleep by pulling the tongue muscle that is connected to the lower jaw forward.
Maxillomandibular Advancement
This procedure is also called jaw repositioning.To create more space behind the tongue,you must move your jaw forward. This can open up your airway. A small 2016 studyTrusted Source involving 16 participants found that maxillomandibular advancement reduced the severity of sleep apnea in all participants by more than 50 percent
Septoplasty and turbinate reduction
The nasal septum is a mix of bone and cartilage that separates your nostrils. Breathing may be impacted by a bent nasal septum. Septoplasty involves straightening your nasal septum, which can help straighten your nasal cavities and make breathing easier.
Risk factors for sleep apnea surgery
All surgeries are risky, but if you have sleep apnea, you may be more susceptible to some consequences, particularly with anesthesia. A lot of anesthesia drugs relax the muscles in your throat, which might exacerbate sleep apnea while the treatment is going on.
As a result, you’ll likely need extra support, such as endotracheal intubation, to help you breathe during the procedure.
Other possible risks of surgery include:
- excessive bleeding
- infection
- deep vein thrombosis
- additional breathing problems
- urinary retention
- allergic reaction to anaesthesia
Final words
For people with severe or unresponsive obstructive sleep apnea, sleep apnea surgery may be a life-changing therapy option. Even though it can provide long-term comfort and enhance the quality of life, weighing the risks, recovery period, and potential for incomplete condition resolution is important.
Speaking with a sleep specialist is essential to determine if surgery is the best course of action for you. To guarantee the greatest result for your health and well-being, keep in mind that a comprehensive assessment of all available treatment options, including non-invasive techniques, should be carried out.
