These respiratory disturbances are coupled with falls in blood oxygen levels. As the condition worsens, the patient may develop irregular heartbeats, elevated blood pressure or an enlarged heart. Snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness and headaches may signal the onset of the disease. After spraying a local anesthetic into the patient's mouth, we use a laser to trim the soft palate, uvula, and occasionally, tonsillar tissue. The laser is equipped with a special device to prevent injury to those areas of the mouth not undergoing surgery.
Patients require between three and five sessions to complete their treatment.
So popular has been this procedure that Dr. Walker and Dr. Guy J. Petruzzelli have taught the technique to more than 300 physicians from around the nation, and continue to treat patients with sleep disorders at the Medical Center. While current techniques for treating patients with head and neck cancers may eliminate the disease, they may, in some cases, also significantly compromise a patient's functionality and self-esteem if reconstructive efforts are not linked improving cosmetic appearances. Loyola's physicians work to help their patients retain a natural-looking appearance and improve the quality of life after surgery. Dr. Raymond J. Konior performs a variety of cosmetic and facial reconstructive surgeries and procedures for adults and children. He divides his practice between facial reconstruction for cancer, head and neck scars, and performing cosmetic surgery such as rhinoplasty, hair transplants, blepharoplasties, head and neck liposuctions, lip augmentation, and other purely cosmetic procedures.