Surgical Techniques

Somnoplasty Treatment

The Somnoplasty procedure is the most recent addition of the treatment options for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This technique uses well established technology with application to OSA. A needle probe is inserted into the tissue of the nose, palate or tongue as indicated by the site of obstruction to breathing. A small electrical current then heats the tissue, but no visible change occurs. During the following six to eight weeks the submerged wound undergoes healing, contraction and stiffening.

The intended result is relief of nasal obstruction when used to shrink the nasal turbinates, diminished snoring when used to reduce the soft palate or elimination of OSA when used for tongue reduction. The main advantages of this treatment are minimal pain and treatment in the office setting. At present, the disadvantages of Somnoplasty treatment for OSA are the need for multiple treatment sessions, overall limited clinical experience with the technique and difficulty with insurance coverage for the procedure.

The material on this site should not be used to diagnose or treat sleep apnea or any other medical problem. If you feel you may have the disorder, please consult your physician.