Sleep surgery

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Sleep surgery is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on the surgical treatment of sleep disorders. It is often considered when non-surgical treatments have failed to improve the patient's condition. The most common sleep disorders treated with sleep surgery include sleep apnea, snoring, and insomnia.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Sleep surgery is typically performed by otolaryngologists, also known as ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialists. These surgeons have specialized training in managing and treating conditions that affect the upper airway, which is often the source of many sleep disorders.

Types of Sleep Surgery[edit | edit source]

There are several types of sleep surgery, each designed to address specific issues related to sleep disorders. These include:

  • Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): This is the most common type of sleep surgery. It involves removing excess tissue from the throat to widen the airway, which can help reduce snoring and treat obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy: These procedures involve removing the tonsils and/or adenoids, which can sometimes block the airway and contribute to sleep apnea.

Risks and Complications[edit | edit source]

As with any surgical procedure, sleep surgery carries potential risks and complications. These can include infection, bleeding, changes in voice or swallowing, and, in rare cases, airway obstruction. It's important for patients to discuss these risks with their surgeon before deciding on surgery.

Effectiveness[edit | edit source]

The effectiveness of sleep surgery varies depending on the specific procedure and the patient's overall health. In general, sleep surgery can significantly improve the quality of sleep and reduce the symptoms of sleep disorders.

See Also[edit | edit source]



WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD