Snoring (cont.)
What is the success of surgery for snoring?
Surgeries are generally successful in reducing snoring. The success of a
procedure depends on the problem area causing the snoring. For example, someone
with nasal congestion will not have much improvement with a palate procedure and
vice versa. The other factor that makes success hard to measure is the
definition of success. As discussed earlier, the goal of surgery should include
a successful night's sleep for those around the snorer.
Palate implant surgery has been reported to decrease snoring. On a loudness
scale of 1-100, the average decrease is from 79 to 48 at three months. Is a
snoring level of 48 a success? For some people it may be, but for others it may
not. Similarly, palate implant surgery was recommended by 89% of snorers, but
only 69% of their partners. Palatal implant surgery, like other surgeries, is
very successful if the patients are carefully selected. Only people with snoring
due to palate problems will improve with palate surgery, and only the snorer's
partner will determine if the improvement in snoring is a "success."
Snoring At a Glance
- Snoring is caused by vibrating tissues within the airways of the nose and
throat.
- The vibrations that cause snoring are caused by turbulent airflow through
narrowed airways.
- Snoring is affected by the stage of sleep, sleeping position, and the use
of medications and alcohol.
- Snoring may be a problem for family members and sleeping partners of the
snorer.
- Snoring also may be a sign of an underlying medical problem.
- Treatments for snoring are nonsurgical and surgical.
Previous contributing medical author: Andrew Verneuil, MD
Last Editorial Review: 8/18/2008
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