Snoring Surgery Abroad

Surgical treatment can provide a solution to snoring. Snoring effects men and women, up to 50% of men snore regularly, and it becomes worse with age and weight. It can cause marital disharmony and be a social embarrasment when staying away from home. It results in poor quality sleep and therefore tiredness during the day. The cause of snoring is sound production at the back of the throat due to turbulent airflow, which occurs at night with loss of muscle tone in sleep, with collapse and narrowing of the breathing passages. Other factors may be allergies, blocked nasal passage and being over weight. Research suggests that snoring of a low pitched, rumbling nature often comes from the soft palate area. Snoring of a high pitched, sucking sound is more likely to come from the back of the tongue or throat.

Snoring can sometimes be controlled by certain at-home systems, good sleeping habits, good sleeping position or avoidance of alcohol. If these are not effective then you can consider laser snoring surgery. The doctor will analyze your snoring disorder and give you proper recommendations on whether a laser snoring treatment is needed and appropriate.

Procedure: A simple laser surgery procedure, laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUPP), can solve major problems of snoring. It adjusts the shapes and removes extra tissue in the uvula and the soft-palate to stops the vibration which is causing the snoring sound. A laser is used to remove the uvula and extra tissue of the soft palette. A carbon dioxide laser IS is used to make upright dents in the palate on both sides of the uvula. LAUPP is the most commonly used laser surgery treatment to treat snoring. Anti-inflammatory medicines will be prescribed to prevent the tissue from swelling. Oral analgesic is also recommended for use.

The LAUPP process usually requires 1 to 3 treatments, but may require up to 5 treatments, every 4 to 8 weeks. Therefore multiple visits to Prague will likely be required. Patients should not smoke at all at least 1-2 weeks before and after surgery. It is done under local anesthesia. Surgery takes 20 minutes. Normally done as outpatient (home same day).

Recovery: Recovery takes 7-14 days. During which time there will be some pain, such as a sore throat or major discomfort in swallowing, which can be controlled with medication. Recommended stay in Prague and back to work 7-10 days.