Laser Surgery for Sleep Apnea

Health and Wellness » Sleep Apnea Care in India » Laser Surgery for Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder which needs to be treated as soon as it is diagnosed. Most of the people think that sleep apnea is not a serious thing to get it treated. But if the disorder is left untreated, then it may lead to various other serious diseases which can be risky. Sleep apnea is treated with various methods. It is treated with medications, home remedies, surgery and with the help of machines. Laser surgery for sleep apnea is used for treating the disorder in serious conditions.

The laser surgery method is used in cases where it is necessary to operate the patient to cure the disorder. With obstructive sleep apnea, there are various blockages located in the airways which are seen repeatedly and which may lead breathing to stop for 10 seconds to a minute or even more than that. Surgery is used in such type of cases to operate the blockages. The motto of laser surgery is to make open the airways to remove or minimize obstructions to a normal level and make the person feel comfortable while sleeping and getting a good night sleep.

Once you have diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, it is necessary for you to consult a well reputed experienced surgeon and a sleep specialist. These professionals will help you to get all the essential knowledge on the type of surgery you would be undergoing and what is essential for you. They will make you explain why it is necessary for you to opt for surgery. If there is any risk involved in surgery, the doctor will let you know the details. Laser surgery is only done when doctors find it essential to operate it immediately.

The untreated sleep apnea is harmful for your health. In some cases, surgery does not remove the apnea completely, but it helps to reduce the number of apneas which helps to give more treatment options to you and make you more comfortable.

Surgery removes the excess tissue from throat or nose which may be vibrating and causing you to snore. This may lead to blocking upper air passages and leading to sleep apnea.

Types of Surgeries

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

During this method, the doctor removes the tissue from your mouth and from the top of your throat. Usually, the adenoids and tonsils are too removed during the surgery. This surgery is used to restrict the throat structures from causing snoring and vibration. But it is said that this method is less effective for treating sleep apnea as the tissues located at the deep side of the throat can still block the air passage.

Maxillomandibular Advancement

In this type of surgery, the jaw is moved in the forward direction from the remainder of bone muscles. This increases the space behind the soft palate and tongue which reduces the obstruction. This type of surgery is given in combination with some other procedures to get it succeeded. An oral surgeon and an orthodontist are essential for this type of surgery.

Tracheotomy

This type of surgery is the most effective one. If the other types of surgery have failed, this is the one which will work for you. This is mostly used for the serious, life threatening sleep apnea. In this treatment, the surgeon makes an opening near your neck and then puts in a plastic tube or metal tube through which you breathe. You will have to cover the opening during the day and then uncover it at night time. This will allow the air to pass in and out of the lungs.

Operating and removing the tissues located in the back of the throat with laser treatment or with radio frequency energy are the procedures used by doctors to treat snoring. Laser surgery for sleep apnea is effective and can be done under a well experienced surgeon.