What is somnoplasty ? Why somnoplasty is required ?

What is somnoplasty?

1. There are many structures in the mouth like tongue, uvula, soft palate and tonsils that are tightened and hold in place by the throat muscles while a person is awake. These structures collapse and vibrate in the airway resulting in snoring when the person is fast asleep
2. Some tissues of uvula and soft palate can be removed surgically to reduce habitual snoring. This surgical procedure is called somnoplasty.
3.  In somnoplasty, low levels of radio-frequency heat energy are used to burn or cauterize the soft tissues of the throat. This laser can be finely controlled and localized.
4. Local anaesthesia is used for performing somnoplasty procedure and the procedure takes around 30 minutes  
   Why somnoplasty is required?
   

•  For chronic nasal obstruction,
•  For habitual snoring,
• For obstructive sleep apnea

Complications / Risks of Somnoplasty

• Failure to resolve or eliminate snoring - In around 80% of patients, there is a significant reduction in the intensity of snoring.
• Failure in curing sleep apnea
• Failure in curing pathological sleep disorders

•  Nasal regurgitation
• Voice changes
•  velopharyngeal insufficiency - During swallowing, liquids can get into cavity of the nose (rare)
• The need for aggressive surgery and revision
• Chronic (long term) pain
•  Infection
• Bleeding in throat
• Impaired healing.
• Thermal or electric injury to soft palate, inside of the mouth or to the uvula

Preparation before Somnoplasty

• Do not take aspirin within 10 days of procedure
• You can take paracetamol for pain. Any other medicine like non steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines or ibuprofen should not be taken without consultation with doctor
• Do not eat heavy meal before the procedure.
• Quit smoking
  

What takes places during the procedure?

• Initially, the throat area is anaesthetized with an oral spray.
• Three small injections are given in the roof of the mouth.
•  You have to sit upright during the procedure and are need to fully awake throughout the whole procedure.
• Radiofrequency generator is connected to a somnus gun device. This whole apparatus is placed in the mouth
•  There is a tiny electrode at the end of the device. This electrode is put through the soft palate (posterior to the mouth’s roof). Radiofrequency is given through it..
• The throat tissue is heated only in specific localized region around the electrode.
• The body reabsorbs the burnt area and shrinks the volume of the tissue, widens the airway passage and decreases the symptoms of snoring

After procedure of somnoplasty

Post

• Snoring can be expected to be worse immediately after the procedure because of local swelling of the tissues treated.
• Immediately after somnoplasty, snoring can become worse in few cases due to localized swelling of tissues.
• Usually improvement starts in 1 to 2 weeks and continues up to several months
• Sleep with your head elevated on 2-3 pillows after the procedure, for some nights
•  A sense of fullness in the back of the throat is commonly reported for several days.
• Fullness sensation at the back of the throat is noticed by many patients after the procedure. Swelling at the back of the throat can be reduced by elevating your head above the heart level and by applying ice pack to neck region.
• For symptoms of sore throat, paracetamol or ibuprofen can be taken
•  Avoid eating or drinking, until the effect of anaesthesia has reduced
• One week after the procedure, visit your doctor for a follow- up

Contact doctor immediately if there is:

• Extreme difficulty in swallowing.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Sudden bleeding from site of surgery.