Sleeping Disorders: When Surgery is Deemed Necessary

There are times when one's sleeping disorders reaches the
extreme level that the doctor resorts to surgical
operations. And for that, he has a range of options. Today,
there are different ways to surgically treat sleeping
disorders. But of course, as the medical professional, he is
tasked to select the best possible cure for it.

For you to know more about the different procedures that can
be done here is a detailed list, which includes a short
description of each and an explanation as to how it is
performed.

1. Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty. This procedure is quite
aggressive. It actually involves the process of an excising
the uvula, which could be obstructing the airways in the
throat. The uvula is usually the reason why some people
snore when they sleep.

This procedure requires the use of local anesthesia. After
which, a carbon dioxide laser is utilized to make the
necessary incisions. The main goal is to shorten the uvula.
To complete the whole process, multiple sessions of about 10
minutes each are required.

2. Tracheostomy. Tracheostomy is somewhat more complicated
than uvulopalatoplasty. If uvulopalatoplasty will remove the
uvula, Tracheostomy is performed to cut through the trachea,
or a person's windpipe.

After the incision is made, a tube is inserted so that air
can pass through. Doing so will also remove the unnecessary
secretions. With the tube inserted, breathing is not done
through the nose or the mouth anymore. It will then be
through the tube.

3. Radio frequency Ablation. Radio frequency Ablation or RFA
is conducted in a person with sleeping disorders as well,
even though this procedure is otherwise popular to be used
for the heart. To cure sleeping disorders, it is tasked to
reduce the size of the palate tissue.

The procedure is called RFA of the soft palate. To perform
it, a certain amount of radio frequency energy is aimed at
the palate. To do it, an electrode device is used. The
procedure can be a little painful and intrusive, and so a
topical local anesthesia is required.

4. Mandibular Myotomy. Mandibular Myotomy involves the
cutting a part of the bone on the front section of the jaws;
doing that will pull the tongue forward for about 6 to 10
mm. The procedure is sure to eliminate one's sleeping
disorders.

This procedure was crafted and was further researched and
studied by Dr. Robert W. Riley and Dr. Nelson Powell. They
are bona fide members Stanford University's Sleep Disorder
Center. The operation may require general anesthesia before
it can be performed.

5. Uvulopalatopharyngolasty. Uvulopalatopharyngolasty or
simply UPPP involves the removal of the uvula. Along with
it, excess tissues are detached as well. It is a form of
surgery given to people who cannot tolerate nasal Continuous
Positive Airway Pressure or CPAP.

Although this is regarded to be equally effective as the
other surgical process, only 50% of the people who had
undergone the procedure were really benefited. Other
patients claim that it only partially help or had failed to
help entirely.

6. Genioglossus and Hyoid Advancement. Genioglossus is a
fan-shaped muscle that forms most of the tongue. The Hyoid
bone, on the other hand, is part of the neck that supports
the tongue's roots.

These two parts of the mouth are advanced, or are adjusted
mildly, for about 10 to 14 millimeters. The result is that
the tongue become stretched a little and becomes less floppy
while sleeping. The procedure is done only under general
anesthesia.

7. Diathermy Palatoplasty. Diathermy Palatoplasty is also
referred to as Diathermy Palatal Reduction. The procedure
can be performed right at the doctor's office. It calls for
lesions to be created in the palates. That, in turn, is
achieved by using radio frequencies. When the scar forms,
the tissues are slowly absorbed; thus making the air passage
larger.

These are the most common surgical methods of treating
sleeping disorders. These surgical methods are performed by
administering anesthesia, making incisions, and using
intrusive medical devices mostly on the mouth.

It is then very important that you ensure you are in the
hands of a medical professional during the treatment.
Sleeping disorders are not always simple problems,
considering all these procedures that one has to go through
to correct it.