Injection Snoreplasty

Snoreplasty is a new, non-surgical treatment for snoring that involves the injection of a stiffening agent into the soft palate. Army researchers from Walter Reed Army Medical Center introduced this procedure at the 2000 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. Their findings indicate that this treatment reduces the loudness and incidence of primary snoring (snoring without cessation of breathing).

 

The initial success rate is over 90%. Of the remaining 10% of patients, the treatment may be repeated for optimum benefits. Long term follow-up studies reveal a small incidence of relapse (18%), which is similar to other comparable, but more expensive surgical procedures for snoring (laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty and radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction)

 

Those seeking snoreplasty to reduce snoring should first be screened for obstructive sleep apnea or OSA (frequent cessation of breathing due to upper airway obstruction) by undergoing a screening home sleep apnea test. If snoring occurs from vibrations beyond the palate and uvula and/or obstructive sleep apnea is suspected, further testing or alternative treatment options may be advised. A thorough examination is recommended to diagnose the source and type of snoring, and to determine whether snoreplasty may be helpful.

 

Snoreplasty is performed in the office under local anesthesia. After numbing with a topical anesthetic, a stiffening agent is placed just under the skin of the soft palate in the back of the mouth. After placement of the stiffening agent, patients are observed in the office and then sent home. Most patients report that pain is minimal; at worst it may feel like a bad sore throat.  Patients can return to work the next day. No serious permanent complications have been reported to date.  Snoring cessation may not be evident for 4-6 weeks, as it takes time for the tissues to stiffen. Some patients may need 2-3 total treatments.

 

 

From: American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery