Somnoplasty Provides Less Pain/Better Sleep for Many
For people suffering with severe obstructive sleep apnea, relief may take the form of some rather intensive measures. However, for those who may have only mild sleep apnea or chronic nasal obstruction and congestion, treatment is now easier.
A relatively new technique, called somnoplasty, minimizes the bleeding and pain associated with other more invasive techniques used for treating nasal obstruction, snoring and mild sleep apnea. Somnoplasty is performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting and typically takes only 30 to 45 minutes. Nasal packing is not required. Most patients can resume normal activity the next day.
"Many treatments that have been tried over time have resulted in moderate or more pain and have limited affect over time," said Daniel Landes, MD, an otorhinolaryngologist at St. Luke's and Tobey Hospitals. "There's very little associated discomfort with somnoplasty."
The procedure involves using fairly low levels of radiofrequency energy to reduce and tighten excess tissue in the upper airway. A unique surgical device provides the physician with the ability to pinpoint and treat problem areas, leaving nearby tissue untouched. The device produces lesions below the surface lining of the tissue where they are not exposed and, therefore, are less painful. The body naturally reabsorbs the lesions in a few weeks.
"We've been doing the procedure for about six months," Dr. Landes said. "Before that, we were just sitting back and watching what others were doing. When we saw the favorable reports, we decided to move forward."