Somnoplasty

Somnoplasty is a procedure that uses controlled low-power radiofrequency energy to reduce snoring by stiffening the uvula and soft palate. The vibrating uvula and the soft palate are often the cause of the snoring sound.

Somnoplasty is an office based procedure that is performed under local anesthesia. The theory of operation is similar to Injection Snorepalsty. Both procedures cause one or several submuscul lesions that on healing reduce and stiffen the surrounding area. In the case of Injection Snorepalsty a sclerosing agent is used to create the lesions where somnoplasty uses radiofrequency energy.

The surgery is relatively non invasive and total healing of the lesions takes 6 to 8 weeks. It may take more than one visit to get the desired results. The post operative pain involved has been reported as much less than laser surgery.

Besides stiffening the soft palate and uvula, somnoplasty has been used in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea by stiffening the base of the tongue, preventing it from falling back and blocking the throat.

This procedure is also used to treat chronic enlargement of the turbinates. The turbinates are shelves in the nose that serve to warm inhaled air before it enters the lungs. They naturally enlarge and shrink during the day but if they become too enlarged, normally due to infection or allergy then they can affect your ability to breathe through the nose. This leads to mouth breathing. Changing from mouth breathing to nasal breathing has been shown to be an effective cure for snoring.

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