Procedure is a viable method for treating obstructive airway symptoms due to enlarged tonsils.
The procedure avoids the discomfort and long recovery time frequently associated with conventional tonsil surgery. The Tonsil Somnoplasty Procedure is performed under local anesthesia and patients typically resume normal activities in one to two days. The procedure reduced tonsil size by a calculated average of 71 percent and increased airway size an average of 12 mm, or 55 percent. The result was preservation of tonsil surface, reduction of enlarged tonsils, and a reduction of symptoms associated with upper airway obstruction such as snoring, daytime sleepiness, throat irritation, and speech and swallowing difficulties. Additional clinical research is planned to determine the safety and efficacy for the Tonsil Somnoplasty Procedure in children up to the age of 18.