Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
o Removes excess tissue in the throat to make the airway wider. It is the most common surgery to treat sleep apnea in adults.
Tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy
o Removes the tonsils and/or the adenoids.
o It is an option if you have enlarged tonsils and adenoids that are blocking your airway during sleep.
o This is often the first treatment option for children because enlarged tonsils and adenoids are usually the cause of their sleep apnea.
Other surgical procedures are used to repair bone and tissue problems in the mouth and throat.
Tracheostomy
Treatment of Sleep Apnea Page 19 of 49
o Creates a hole in the windpipe (trachea).
o A tube is then put in the hole to bring air in.
o Doctors rarely use this surgery because it may cause other health problems.
o But when other techniques have failed, almost all people who are treated with tracheostomy will be cured of their sleep apnea.
Bariatric surgery is done for weight loss.
o If you are extremely overweight (severely obese) and the excess weight is making your sleep apnea worse, you may consider surgery to help you lose weight.
o Bariatric surgery can promote weight loss that improves sleep apnea.