Haven't you suffered from snoring
long enough?
SOMNOPLASTY™
A Simple Treatment for
Habitual Snoring
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the procedure? How does it work?
Somnoplasty™ uses low-power, low-temperature radio
frequency energy to treat a well-defined area in the uvula or soft palate.
Radio frequency energy is delivered beneath the surface layer of the soft
palate. The treated tissue is heated just enough to kill the cells surrounding
the electrode. Over the next six weeks to eight weeks, the treated tissue
is naturally absorbed by the body, reducing the volume of the tissue and
stiffening the soft palate area. Since the delicate surface of the palate
is protected, the Somnoplasty ™ procedure causes minimal pain in
most patients, and allows for a quick recovery.
return to top
Does the procedure hurt?
Prior to the Somnoplasty™ procedure, your palate will
be anesthetized. This is similar to having Novocaine when you go to the
dentist. You should not feel pain during the Somnoplasty™ procedure
itself.
return to top
What can I expect post-treatment?
There may be some swelling and discomfort for a few days
following the procedure, not unlike the feeling of an oncoming cold. During
the next month or so you should experience a gradual decrease in your
snoring. Depending on your level of snoring, the Somnoplasty™ procedure
may need to be repeated.
return to top
Does it work? Will I have to come back for additional
treatments?
If most or all of your snoring originates from the palate,
there is an 85% likelihood of success of the procedure in one or two treatments.
return to top
Is this a permanent cure?
Since this is a new procedure, long-term clinical data are
not yet available.
return to top
Is the procedure approved?
The Somnoplasty™ System was cleared by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration for use in the treatment of the palate in July
1997; December 1997 for turbinates and November 1998 for obstructed sleep
apnea.
return to top
How many patients have been treated to date?
More than 6,000 patients have already been treated with
the Somnoplasty™ Procedure.
return to top
What type of anesthesia is involved?
The Somnoplasty™ Procedure for the palate is performed
under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting. The patient is not sedated.
The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes, including 10 minutes necessary
for the actual treatment of the palate.
return to top
How does this compare with other treatments currently
available?
Non-surgical approaches include weight loss and other lifestyle
modifications or the use of an oral appliance to reposition the jaw during
sleep. A variety of traditional surgeries are also available to remove
the excess tissue. For example, LAUP (Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty
Procedure) removes tissue by laser at significantly higher temperatures
than the Somnoplasty™ procedure, and therefore has more post-operative
pain.
UPPP (Uvulopalatophaaryngoplasty) is the surgical removal
(under general anesthesia) of the uvula and a portion of the soft palate,
expanding the airway. It is usually performed only on patients with sleep
apnea in addition to snoring. The Somnoplasty™ procedure gently reduces
the tissue volume in the soft palate and uvula, and typically does so
without the pain associated with conventional and laser-assisted surgeries.
return to top
What is the pre-treatment regimen?
It is recommended that you discontinue the use of aspirin
or NSAIDS (Non-Sternoidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, i.e. ibuprofen, naproxen
sodium) 10 days prior to the Somnoplasty™ procedure.
return to top
What are the risks? What are potential complications?
Potential complications are the same as those associated
with outpatient procedure requiring local anesthesia and may include:
bleeding, infection, hematoma, injury to surrounding tissues/structures,
swelling that may feel like something is in the throat. You may need to
sleep with your head elevated at a 45 degree angle for 1-2 nights after
the procedure to avoid difficulties breathing.
return to top
How soon will I see results?
You should experience a gradual decrease in your snoring
during the six to ten weeks following your procedure.
return to top
Benefits
The Somnoplasty™ Procedure causes minimal pain in
most patients, and allows for a quick recovery. The procedure for the
palate is performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting. The
patient is not sedated. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes,
including 10 minutes necessary for the actual treatment of the palate.
return to top
How do I know if I qualify for this procedure?
We would like to stress the importance of a proper diagnosis.
If you believe you suffer from habitual snoring, and your level of snoring
is disruptive to your personal life, we encourage you to come in for an
evaluation. Contact Us for more info.
return to top
Copyright © 1999 Somnus Medical Technologies, Inc.
All Rights Reserved. Somnus, Somnoplasty, and the Somnus Medical Technologies
logo are trademarks of Somnus Medical Technologies, Incorporated.
|
