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Somnoplasty

A surgical procedure to combat snoring, invented by Stuart D. Edwards and Ingemar Henry Lundquist

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About

Somnoplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to alleviate snoring. It uses heat energy to modify the tissues of your uvula (the soft, hanging part in your throat near your tonsils) and soft palate. You may need to undergo several treatments for the procedure to take full effect.

Need to know

  • What happens icon plus

    You will be given a local anaesthetic to numb your throat, meaning you will be awake for the duration of the procedure. Your consultant will then insert a needle-like electrode into your throat and heat the inner tissue of your uvula and soft palette to 85ºC. This results in the tissue beneath your skin being scarred. Somnoplasty creates targetted lesions that have little effect on your surrounding tissue. The procedure takes about 20 minutes.

  • How to prepare icon plus

    Let your consultant know about any medications you are taking. You should avoid aspirin for 10 days before and after the procedure. You do not need to fast for this procedure. You can help to reduce post-operative coughing and bleeding by stopping smoking.

  • Afterwards icon plus

    You will not need to stay in hospital overnight. Your snoring may be worse at first due to the swelling of the tissue treated. Improvement usually begins one to two weeks after the procedure and should improve for several months. You should sleep with your head elevated on two or three pillows for several nights post-procedure to minimise swelling. You may experience a sore throat for several days after the procedure. Over-the-counter medication should help with this.
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
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