Loud, noisy breathing can be the result of our nasal passages being partially or completely blocked. It may be used in conjunction with other non-invasive therapies, such as positive air pressure. OSA can be treated with somnoplasty, a non-surgical technique utilizing low power, low temperature radio frequency energy to shrink tissue in the soft palate and uvula. Local anesthesia is used for this quick procedure, which is usually done in a physician's office. Few side effects have been reported with the use of this procedure and is generally regarded as an effective treatment for primary snoring.
Some patients complain of post-operative discomfort secondary to the removal of palatal tissue.
UPPP is a surgical procedure that removes the tonsils, uvula, and part of the soft palate. Additionally, many patients have post-operative changes with their speech and experience nasal regurgitation of liquids. They are less frequently used. When immediate intervention is required for the treatment of life-threatening OSA, a tracheostomy may be done. A small surgical incision is made in front of the neck into the trachea and a tube is placed in this opening to allow for continuous air passage at night.