Surgery

In some individuals with sleep apnea, treating and correcting the nasal airway can indirectly improve the obstructive sleep apnea. Proper, physiologic breathing is through the nose. If you are mouth breathing at night due to nasal airway obstruction from causes such as a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, or nasal polyps, this can indirectly lead to malpositioning of the tongue and influence sleep apnea in some patients. When the nasal passages are blocked, the body compensates by breathing through the mouth, which can cause the tongue to fall back and obstruct the airway. Surgery to improve your nasal airway with simple, outpatient procedures can help you breathe better through your nose, improve or even prevent snoring, and aims to restore proper, physiologic breathing.

The anatomy of the upper airway plays a crucial role in the development and severity of obstructive sleep apnea. The base of the tongue, soft palate, uvula, and tonsils are all anatomical structures that can contribute to airway obstruction. When these tissues collapse or fall back into the airway during sleep, it can cause significant breathing difficulties as it will occlude the airway. Surgical procedures are designed to address these specific anatomical issues and obstructions. Sometimes, in young children particularly, the tonsils and sometimes the adenoids can play a crucial role in obstructing the airway. National guidelines recommend tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils) in children with obstructive sleep apnea regardless of tonsil size. 

In addition to these surgical options, there are other procedures that can help improve nasal breathing and indirectly reduce the severity of sleep apnea. Septoplasty is a common surgery to correct a deviated septum, which can significantly improve airflow through the nose. Turbinate reduction surgery aims to reduce the size of the turbinates, which are structures inside the nose that can become enlarged and obstruct airflow. These surgeries can help restore proper nasal breathing, reduce mouth breathing, and improve overall sleep quality. Surgery to improve your nasal airway with simple, outpatient procedures can help you breathe better through your nose, can improve or even prevent snoring, and aims to restore proper, physiologic breathing.

It is important to remember however that not all patients with obstructive sleep apnea will require surgery. Many patients can manage their condition with non-surgical treatments such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, and lifestyle modifications. CPAP therapy involves wearing a mask over the nose and/or mouth during sleep, which delivers a continuous stream of air to keep the airway open. Oral appliances are custom-fitted devices that reposition the jaw and tongue to prevent airway collapse. Lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, and sleeping on your side can also help reduce the severity of sleep apnea.