TreatmentSnoring and sleep
Surgery for snoring and sleep apnoea
Surgery can help selected people whose sleep breathing problems come from a treatable narrowing in the nose or throat. The right operation depends on the diagnosis and where the airway is blocked.
ENT care in Bandra, MumbaiAbout Dr Adip Shetty
- Start with
- A sleep assessment and examination of the airway.
- Adult alternatives
- CPAP, a fitted mouth device and other measures may help.
- After treatment
- Breathing during sleep needs reassessment, even if snoring is quieter.
Who may benefit?
Adults may be considered when there is a suitable structural problem or other treatments are not working or cannot be tolerated. In children, large tonsils and adenoids are a common reason to discuss surgery for sleep-related obstruction.
What operations might be discussed?
Options can include nasal surgery, tonsil or adenoid removal, or selected procedures on the throat or jaw. These are different operations with different risks. The assessment should identify which part of the airway needs treatment.
What about CPAP and other treatments?
CPAP keeps the airway open with air through a mask and is an important treatment for many adults. Mask adjustments, treating nasal blockage or a fitted mouth device may help before considering surgery. Weight management and sleep position can remain relevant.
Recovery and checking the result
Recovery depends on the operation and may involve pain, difficulty eating and time away from work. Bleeding and changes to swallowing or voice are possible with some throat procedures. Sleep apnoea can remain after surgery, so the team may recommend repeat sleep testing.
A note on your care
“Before an operation, we should be clear about the sleep problem we are treating and how we will measure the result. Quieter nights are only one part of that discussion.”
A little more clarity
Common questions
General answers, so you can arrive with a clearer sense of what to ask.
Can surgery replace my CPAP machine?
Sometimes, but it cannot be assumed. Continue prescribed treatment until your sleep team confirms whether it is safe to change it.
Is there one operation that stops all snoring?
No. Snoring may involve more than one area. Treatment needs a clear cause and realistic expectations.
Does quieter snoring mean treatment worked?
It is encouraging, but quieter sleep does not prove that breathing pauses have stopped. Follow-up checks the result.
Will a child always need a sleep study before surgery?
Not always. The decision depends on symptoms, examination, age, other health conditions and uncertainty about the diagnosis.
Sources and review
Updated . General information to help you prepare for a consultation. Information on this website does not replace a consultation.
Clinically reviewed by Dr Adip Shetty on .
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