Sleep Apnea SurgeryOf all the sleeping disorders in the world, perhaps one of the most dangerous is sleep apnea. This is a medical condition where the patient suffers from a reduction or even cessation of proper airflow, especially when he is asleep. An apena may come in different forms. You have central apena sleep syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea. To help solve the problem, though, you may have to go through some treatments, one of which is sleep apnea surgery. How does it go? Before a surgery can be given to the patient, he still needs to undergo a process called polysomnography. It makes use of an instrument known as polysonogram, which can then measure the airflow from the mouth or from the nose. The result will help determine if a patient is indeed suffering from apnea. Moreover, if the result will suggest that there's great obstruction, then that's the time that the surgeon will suggest for a sleep apnea operation. What is the common type of sleep apnea surgery? Throat specialists would often recommend UPPP, or uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. It is the removal of some soft tissue at the back of your throat, include the soft flap called uvula and some tissue in the soft palate. What are the possible problems or risks? It's very important for someone who is undergoing the surgery to note that there are actually a number of complications or problems that can arise in UPPP. In fact, it is considered to be the most painful method of treatment, and you can spend more than a week in the hospital. Most of the patients will complain on the following: 1. Swallowing issues. It may take a while before you can start taking in real food or solid ones. If you do, however, you may have to bear with the pain of swallowing. 2. Infection. At least 40 percent of those who underwent the surgery will suffer from any form of infection, which may only worsen the painful feeling that patient may already have. Nevertheless, antibiotics are usually given, even before the surgery is done, so that it will somehow minimize the possibility of getting an infection. 3. Mucus buildup. In relation to infection, there's a huge tendency that there will be a buildup of mucus in the throat, which will surely make any patient feel uneasy. It will also suggest that there is indeed infection. 4. Smell irregularities. Your mouth is actually instrumental in allowing you to smell food. If there are some alterations done to it, it also means that there will be changes in your manner of smelling. There may be certain types of odor that you can no longer detect. The surgery may also change the frequency of your voice. For example, for a normal range, it may only become hoarser or huskier. What is the recovery success? Perhaps the worst complication of this sleep apnea surgery is the recurrence of the disorder. There is less than 65 percent chance of full recovery, and your chances will get smaller as time passes on. You may need to pair it with proper therapy in order to elevate your success rate. |