Sleep apnea is a very common yet potentially serious sleep disorder. In some cases, it can be treated without surgery, but surgery can sometimes provide the best form of treatment to alleviate your symptoms.
In this blog, the sleep specialists at eos sleep explain the different types of inpatient sleep apnea surgeries to help you learn whether one could be right for you:
What is inpatient surgery?
Inpatient surgery is any type of surgical procedure that requires you to stay one or more night in the hospital after your surgery.
What types of inpatient surgery are available for sleep apnea?
The following are some of the most common types of inpatient surgery used to treat sleep apnea:
UPPP
UPPP, which is short for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, is the most common type of surgical procedure used to treat sleep apnea. It’s performed to remove excess tissue from your soft palate (the back of the roof of your mouth) and your pharynx, which connects your mouth and nasal passages to your esophagus. If you still have your tonsils, these will also be removed during a UPPP.
After the excess tissue is removed, sutures will be placed to help keep the area more open and to prevent collapse. Since snoring is often caused by the vibration of the soft palate and the pharynx, this surgery can greatly reduce snoring.
Hyoid suspension
The hyoid bone is a U-shaped bone in your neck, and your tongue and other throat structures are attached to it. In this type of procedure, your surgeon will detach two tendons and some muscle from your hyoid bone.
It can then be pulled forward and secured into place, which helps open up the breathing passage in this area.
Genioglossus tongue advancement
The genioglossus is the largest muscle in the tongue. When it, together with jaw and neck muscles, relax during sleep, it can fall backward and block your airway.
During this surgery, a small part of your chin is pulled forward, and the tongue is also pulled forward. This makes it less likely to collapse and block your airway.
Who makes a good candidate for these procedures?
The following can help make you a good candidate for inpatient sleep apnea surgery:
- You’ve tried to use CPAP but find it too uncomfortable to wear every night
- Your doctor has identified the site and cause of your airway obstruction and it can be addressed with surgery
What are the benefits of these surgeries?
These inpatient surgeries offer the following benefits:
- Often effective at reducing the incidence of sleep apnea
- Tailored for the specific cause of your airway blockages as well as the severity of your problem
- Especially helpful for patients who can’t tolerate using a CPAP machine
What is the recovery from these procedures like?
Depending on your specific type of surgery and your individual circumstances, your throat may feel sore at first, and it may take a few weeks for this to completely go away. Eating and drinking may be uncomfortable for about five days, so cold liquids and cold, soft foods are good choices.
You may be prescribed pain medication or asked to take an over-the-counter version, and you should sleep with your head elevated for a few days to help decrease pain and swelling in your head and neck areas.
If you have sleep apnea and are interested in finding out more about inpatient surgeries, call eos sleep in NYC today at 212-873-6036. We’ll recommend the most effective treatment that can help you get the restorative sleep you need.