Surgical Treatment for Snoring and Sleep Apnea

The goal of most types of surgery for sleep is to widen the airway. This is so you can breathe more easily. Surgery is done by taking out or shrinking excess tissue where the mouth meets the throat. Nasal and jaw surgery can help correct nose or jaw problems that lead to snoring and apnea. The FDA has approved several kinds of surgery for sleep apnea. Talk with your healthcare provider to understand your choices. This sheet describes procedures that may be advised for you.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

This is the most common surgery for sleep apnea. It trims the soft palate and uvula, and removes the tonsils and other tissue. It's major surgery done in a hospital. Most people go home within 24 hours.

Risks of UPPP

Problems are not common with this surgery. But risks include:

• Bleeding

• Throat pain

• Scarring

• Nasal-sounding speech

• False feeling that something is in throat

• Liquids sometimes going into nose when swallowing

Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP)

This surgery helps relieve snoring. It may also be used in some cases of mild apnea. The healthcare provider uses a laser or electric current to remove some of the soft palate and part or all of the uvula. This surgery may be done over several sessions in the healthcare provider’s office.

Risks of LAUP

The risks are the same as for UPPP, but less likely to occur.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)

This procedure helps relieve snoring. The healthcare provider uses radio waves to reduce the size of the turbinates or uvula, nearby tissue, and sometimes the back of the tongue.

Risks of RFA

• Mouth ulcer

• Nerve pain

• Swelling in airway

• Pocket of pus (abscess) on tongue

Nasal surgery

Problems in the nose can make snoring or sleep apnea worse. They can also make a CPAP harder to use. A CPAP is a machine that sends pressurized air through a face mask as you sleep. If blockages in your nose are severe, surgery can improve the airflow. It can reduce the size of the turbinates, straighten a crooked (deviated) septum, and remove any polyps. Polyps are overgrowths of sinus lining.

Risks of nasal surgery

• Bruising

• Bleeding

• Damage to or hole in the septum

• Dryness in nose

Jaw surgery

If your jaw sits too far back, your tongue may also be too far back. That makes your tongue more likely to block your airway when you sleep. Moving your jaw forward moves your tongue forward and widens the airway overall.

Risks of jaw surgery

In some cases, the jaw does not heal in the desired position. Your healthcare provider can tell you more about this. Other risks include:

• Loss of teeth 

• Need for orthodontic treatment to realign teeth

• Loss of feeling in jaw or teeth

• Change in facial appearance

More severe cases

If your apnea is severe and no other treatment helps, other kinds of surgery may help. Your healthcare provider can tell you about them. One is hypoglossal nerve stimulator technology. This procedure implants a tongue pacemaker that stiffens and projects the tongue forward during sleep. Other surgery may focus on tongue muscles or bones in the midface.

Be sure you understand the risks and benefits of all procedures for snoring and sleep apnea.