Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

If you can’t use CPAP therapy, your doctor may suggest surgery to treat your OSA symptoms. Surgery for sleep apnea is not ‘one size fits all’ solution.

For surgery to help, the doctor needs to know exactly what part of your airway is getting blocked. An ear, nose and throat specialist (otolaryngologist) can examine your nose, mouth and throat to pinpoint the problem.

Please keep in mind that surgery can be risky. Most surgery isn’t reversible- once it’s done, it’s done. In some cases, surgery may actually worsen a person’s obstructive sleep apnea symptoms. This is why doctors don’t recommend surgery in most cases.

These are the types of surgery available for some people with obstructive sleep apnea:

Tonsillectomy

If you have sleep apnea because your tonsils are too big, you can have surgery to remove them. Like any kind of surgery, tonsil surgery can lead to complications (problems).
Tonsil removal is the most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea in children.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

In this procedure, which doctors call “U triple P”, the surgeon cuts away the uvula and part of the soft tissue at the back of the throat.

UPPP may reduce snoring and sleep apnea events (pauses in breathing). Like any kind of surgery, UPPP surgery can lead to complications (problems). Some people who’ve had UPPP surgery have nasal regurgitation (fluids going up your nose when you swallow).

If your sleep apnea is not controlled, you may have trouble using CPAP after this surgery.