1 Introduction Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), first described by Fujita in 1981, was the first surgical procedure specifically designed to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and it is still the most commonly used surgical procedure for these conditions. The original…
1 Introduction In the last 20 years the surgical management of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and snoring has seen a continuous expansion and refinement. As surgeons gained more information about airway mechanics and physiology, many new procedures have been developed…
1 Introduction Snoring is a widespread symptom affecting about 50% of the adult population. Primary snoring without sleep-disordered breathing is not harmful in itself. However, because snoring often causes social embarrassment and marital disharmony, affected patients apply to their physicians…
Elevoplasty is a minimally invasive physician's office intervention to treat patients who present with mild to moderate snoring who choose not to wear an appliance to assist with sleep and are unwilling to undergo uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) surgery. It works by…
1 Introduction Snoring is a highly prevalent condition consisting of irregular respiratory sounds during sleep that are sufficiently loud enough to disturb a bed partner. A recent large health survey found that 53% of adult Americans were regular snorers, including…
1 Introduction A vast array of choices is available to the otolaryngologist to treat simple snoring. The majority of these procedures function via the principle of palatal stiffening in which the vibrating floppy soft palate of the snoring patient is…
1 Introduction Snoring is caused by the vibration of the structures in the oral cavity and oropharynx—namely the soft palate, uvula, tonsils, base of tongue, epiglottis, and pharyngeal walls. Most authorities would concur that over 80% of snoring is due…
1 Introduction Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is a surgical procedure for the treatment of snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome. LAUP involves the use of a surgical laser to sequentially reduce and reshape the tissues of the uvula and soft…
1 Introduction The inferior turbinate is the largest of the three paired turbinates and plays a large role in humidifying and filtering air, as well as directing airflow through the nose. The inferior turbinate consists of the turbinate bone covered…
1 Introduction Sleep-disordered breathing and snoring are exceedingly common presentations to physicians. In general, the etiology is highly variable from base of tongue obstruction, laryngomalacia, retrognathia, or weak pharyngeal muscle tone, among others. These etiologies can all be exacerbated by…