A procedure that gives you a restful sleep
Throat surgery for apnea is one of the solutions we opt for at the Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic. By removing part of the soft palate or fixing it, we prevent blockage of the airways and provide you with undisturbed and quality sleep.
Sleep apnea is a condition that results in shortness of breath, and sometimes interruptions in breathing during sleep. This disorder seems harmless, but repeated occurrences in the cessation of breathing can increase the risk of developing other problems such as heart attack or stroke.
In addition to increasing the risk of cardiovascular disorders, sleep apnea can seriously affect your daily life. Chronic exhaustion, lack of concentration or headache are just some of the ailments that can be attributed to apnea.
Throat surgery for apnea is one of the solutions we opt for at the Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic. By removing part of the soft palate or fixing it, we prevent blockage of the airways and provide you with undisturbed and quality sleep.
Obstructive apnea occurs when the airways are completely blocked. While we sleep, the muscles of the tongue, pharynx, larynx and soft palate become too relaxed in these circumstances. The narrowing of the airways is precisely the result of loose tissues in the throat area.
The occurrence of apnea does not necessarily have to be caused by narrowing of the upper respiratory tract. It can also occur due to poor brainstem function. Such a condition is called central apnea.
This type of apnea is more common in people who have experienced disorders such as heart attack or stroke and who have been exposed to narcotic drugs for a long time.
Sleep apnea can be caused by a number of factors, the most common of which are daily habits that can harm our health in the long run.
Smoking, alcohol consumption and foods rich in sugars are just some of the reasons why you can gain weight and cause cardiovascular disorders, but also develop potential sleep apnea.
You can only suspect apnea if symptoms such as snoring, headaches or chronic fatigue have been appearing for some time, regardless of the circumstances.
Although these symptoms may indicate apnea, you will get the safest diagnosis by making an appointment for the following tests: polygraphy, polysomnography or sleep endoscopy.
Although the human throat at first looks like just a channel through which food and air pass, it is surrounded by complex lymphatic tissues, vocal cords and muscles without which it could not function properly.
In the case of infections, the body defends itself by increasing the production of lymphocytes, which can result in swelling of the tonsils. Swelling can cause irritation and difficulty breathing.
Goiter, due to the slower functioning of the thyroid gland, can also thicken the area around the neck and narrow the airways.
Although these diseases are treated with different methods, the possibility of tests and diagnosis of other symptoms that could be the cause of apnea is not excluded.
To treat apnea, we most often perform two types of throat surgery.
UPPP is a procedure that surgically removes the uvula, part of the soft palate, and sometimes the tissue at the back of the throat, also known as tonsillar supports.
The resection procedure frees the airways and allows normal air circulation through the nasal cavity.
By blocking the airways, you would have to breathe through your mouth, which can result in snoring, but also other conditions such as dry mouth or throat irritation.
The Pilar method is a type of surgery that seeks to firm the soft palate to prevent snoring and the development of apnea.
Sleep apnea can be caused by relaxed throat and tongue muscles, but also by loose tissue such as the soft palate and uvula.
By applying three polyester implants to the area of the soft palate, the tissue becomes firmer and tighter, which restores its primary structure, and the airways are no longer blocked.
This operation works on the same principle as the Pilar method, but instead of polyester implants, laser devices are used that create microperforations.
Nanometer holes in the tissue result in the formation of new cells that harden the soft palate and prevent shortness of breath and apnea.
Before the surgery, it is necessary to perform several tests to get an insight into your general health and prevent the development of possible complications during the procedure:
With these tests, we will assess your condition before the operation and pay special attention if we notice the development of possible disturbances that could affect the operation and recovery.
We use the obtained test results to compare your vital functions before and during the procedure. If we notice any changes in the work of the heart, the amount of oxygen in the blood or a disturbed rhythm of breathing, we adjust the procedure and prevent further development of problems.
In order for the operations to go as successfully as possible, be sure to adhere to the following guidelines:
Come to the operation with someone accompanying you. The effect of anesthesia can make you feel dizzy and exhausted, so driving alone is not recommended.
Both surgeries are performed in the area of the soft palate, but the procedures are different.
Upon arrival at the polyclinic, you will be placed in the operating room. Once you are comfortable, the anesthesiologist gives you general anesthesia that will make you feel no pain.
The anesthesiologist will observe your vital functions throughout the operation and will inform surgeons and other staff about your condition.
Once you have fallen asleep, the neck and head surgeon and the otorhinolaryngology specialist begin the operation. Resection of the soft palate and uvula tissue is performed, which unblocks the airways and allows normal breathing.
After removing the soft palate and uvula, sutures are placed to prevent tissue deterioration and airway closure.
The stitches dissolve after 3-4 weeks , after which a new edge is formed on the soft palate.
Unlike UPPP surgery, the Pilar method requires the application of local anesthesia that will be injected into the soft palate tissue.
When you lose sensation in this area, a thin probe is inserted into your tissue, which drops a polyester implant. Depending on the diagnosis, the specialist may apply 3-5 polyester implants to strengthen the soft palate tissue.
Due to the hardness and tension of the soft palate, you will be able to breathe and sleep more easily, and condition such as snoring or dry mouth will no longer occur.
The operation lasts between 20 and 30 minutes, and after the procedure you can go home and continue with your daily activities.
This procedure is almost identical to the Pilar method, but instead of a probe with implants, a laser probe is inserted that creates minimal perforations in the soft palate tissue. The resulting “injuries” are not dangerous and occur in order for the body to initiate the formation of new tissue on its own.
By creating new tissue and renewing old tissue, the soft palate strengthens it, which prevents problems such as apnea or chronic snoring.
Recovery after throat surgeries depends on the type of procedure that has been performed.
Full recovery after UPPP surgery follows after 2-4 weeks. However, it should be noted that for this type of surgery, pain and the recovery process are somewhat more pronounced than other types of surgery.
There is a possibility that you will need to spend the night in the polyclinic after the UPPP surgery.
Although this surgery is often performed to treat apnea, the success rate varies between 33 and 50%, making it one of the less effective procedures.
Some pain is normal and usually goes away within two weeks. You can take pain relievers, but avoid blood thinners like Aspirin or Andol.
The stitches that are placed after the surgery may bother you at first, and their breakdown occurs 3-4 weeks after the procedure.
Do not overdo physical activity so as not to cause capillary rupture and bleeding in the cavity.
Avoid consuming hot foods and beverages so as not to provoke bleeding due to tissue relaxation under high temperature.
With the Pilar method and laser curing method , recovery is generally faster and more painless, and the rate of successful treatment of apnea is significantly higher. After the operation, you can immediately go home for home care. After surgery with the Pilar method and laser hardening, you may feel a slight pain that goes away on the second day.
After throat surgeries, it is necessary to take into account possible complications that are typical for each type of surgery, such as infection, increased bleeding or an allergic reaction to anesthesia.
The following side effects are also characteristic of throat surgery:
If these side effects occur even after the expected recovery period, be sure to contact us so that we can react in a timely manner and properly treat your problems.
At the Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic, we do everything to successfully treat the problems caused by sleep apnea.
We are aware of how poor sleep can affect your daily life and general health, and we strive to apply modern methods of work to adequately remove apnea from your nighttime routine.
Throat surgery is just one of the many methods we use to treat apnea, and our patients have shown extreme satisfaction when their sleep quality has improved.
Take the first step towards apnea treatment and call us at +385 1 2444 646 and make an appointment today.
The main goal of LF Polyclinic is to improve the quality of life and health of our clients by providing them with top-notch healthcare services.
