SNORE IMPLANT
LASER SURGERY
FAQ
SLEEP APNEA
WHY WE SNORE
STATISTICS
FAMOUS SNORERS
LASER CANDIDATES
SLEEP STUDIES
CPAP
ORAL APPLIANCE
PRICE INSURANCE
GETTING HELP
PREGNANCY
SNORING SEX
BROCHURE
UPPP ARTICLE
OBESITY ARTICLE
|
|
How
well did you sleep last night?
Have you been told that you snore? Snoring is not only annoying to your bed
partner but also is bad for your health. It could deprive you and your loved
ones from proper sleep. A quiet, restful sleep is essential to good health.
Interrupted sleep associated with snoring may cause sleep apnea, a condition
where you can stop breathing for up to a minute, depriving you from vital
oxygen and may lead to many problems. Without the proper amount of sleep you
can:
Wake up tired with a headache
Have restless sleep
Become nervous
Be easily irritable
Be physically fatigued
Fall sleep behind the wheel
Develop serious health problems
Have memory loss and be forgetful
Is there any danger associated with
snoring?
As mentioned above, snoring is commonly a sign of a much more serious
condition known as sleep apnea, when individuals literally stop breathing
during sleep. Sleep apnea is the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes
during sleep. Our message is clear, There are over 25 million people in the
United States who snore and may suffer from sleep apnea. The condition is
ignored by the person who is snoring because apnea (pause in breathing)
happens when patients are asleep, according to Dr. Madani, chairman of the
department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Capital Health Medical
Center and the director of the Center for Corrective Surgery in Bala Cynwyd,
Pennsylvania. In a chapter that was published in the latest issue of the
Clinics Of North America, Dr. Madani has introduced several new techniques
to treat snoring and mild sleep apnea. Our study of 5,600 patients showed
that most snorers believe that they are in fact better sleepers! The truth
may be that they suffer from such a severe case of sleep apnea that they are
exhausted during the day and have restless sleep at night. Over 70% of
snoring bed partners spend more time apart from their partners than
together, says Madani.
A procedure called LA-UPPP (Laser Assisted Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) has
been performed in our center since 1992 on thousands of patients. The
primary goal and effect of this procedure is to reduce the intensity of
snoring. On average, based on our published data, the intensity of snoring
is reduced up to 75%, significant enough to help patients sleep with their
bed partners and be successful in 95% of cases.
This technique can also help certain individuals with very mild obstructive
sleep apnea. Every patient is going to respond differently to these
treatments and although hundreds of patients were able to discontinue the
use of their CPAP (a sleep device that pumps air into your body through a
nasal mask if you suffer from sleep apnea) we do recommend continuation of
the device even after surgery. The LA-UPPP is not a cure for sleep apnea.
How is laser surgery for treatment of snoring is done?
After a careful analysis of your problem(s) and detail discussion of the
technique we use in our center, you are guided to a state-of-the-art
examination room. Your mouth, nose and throat are carefully examined using a
high-tech digital camera. You can actually see the problem(s) and clearly
understand the cause as well as limitations of any kind of surgery. Your
questions are carefully answered. During this period of evaluation, you must
discuss with us any medical problems you may have. That should include any
recent colds or if you take aspirin (or any other blood thinners). Of
course, history of allergies or other important medical information should
be brought to our attention.
Once we reviewed all the procedures, alternatives (which includes weight
loss & CPAP, dental appliances as well as no procedures at all) risks and
complications then we are ready to proceed with your care. If you are
extremely overweight or have major signs of sleep apnea we may recommend a
sleep study prior to your treatment. All our patients are given that option
to rule out sleep apnea but once again we want you to know that LA-UPPP is
not a cure for sleep apnea.
After many years of research, working with CO2 & Nd YAG laser,
radiofrequency, ultrasound, Bovie, EllmanTM, CoblationTM and SomnoplastyTM/SM
as well as the surgical blade, we will determine what technique works best
for you. In general, we use the CO2 laser in our present practice to trim
the elongated uvula and the part of the roof of the mouth adjacent to the
uvula. If tonsillar tissues are present, they will be treated with
radiofrequency (CoblationTM, SomnoplastyTM/SM or EllmanTM) to make the
tonsils smaller or even remove a portion of the tonsils. This technique
reduces pain and allows you to return to your work or school the day after
surgery.
Ninety of patients are sedated (an IV line with a small amount of medication
given to relax you). It requires patients not to eat or drink for six hours
prior to their treatment. If you are considering having a procedure done on
the day of your first visit, this is an important consideration. A
responsible driver must also accompany you. Procedures are performed on site
at our facility, so you dont have to go to a hospital and be admitted.
Recovery is very fast from this type of anesthesia.
On the average, this procedure takes less than one hour but including
pre-operative preparation; you can expect to be our center for approximately
2 hours. The procedure is fairly simple done right in our state-of-the-art
Bala Cynwyd center. In general, most patients prefer to be asleep for this
procedure. The experience of the surgeon has a lot to do not only with how
fast the procedure could be done but how well and how precise. We have
performed thousands of laser surgery cases over the past ten years. With our
changing technology, Dr. Madani has significantly modified the procedure to
be performed in a single visit.
Following the procedure, patients report:
Significant reduction in the intensity of snoring (on average 75%)
Better
performance during the day
Improved quality of sleep
Enhanced breathing
Happier
family life!
Laser Snoring Surgery (LA-UPPP)
LA-UPPP combined with Nasal Radioablation: New Technique Introduced By
Dr. Madani For Treatment of Snoring
In search of a way to treat snoring and sleep apnea, a variety of
methods have been suggested and are currently being used. Laser Assisted
Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is the procedure being used by most surgeons.
During this procedure CO2 laser is used to trim the uvula. LAUP requires
multiple visits and primarily involves shortening of the uvula and only a
minor portion of the soft palate. This procedure has not proven to in any
significant way correct sleep apnea. Long-term results (over 7 years) have
been associated with relapse.
Dr. Madani's modification of Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) surgery
involves using laser to remove the uvula, shorten the soft palate and reduce
the volume of the tonsils. This procedure has been done by knife previously
(standard UPPP performed since early 80s) and is well reported in the
various medical journals. The older technique however was done in the
operating room and under general anesthesia. Patients had to stay in the
hospital in most cases for at least one night following the surgery. The
complications with the traditional (knife or Electrocautery) were voice
change and fluid reflux in 5-10% of cases (food and fluids escaping through
the nose when patients try to swallow).
UPPP assisted with laser (see Journal Publication - published in the Oral &
Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics Of North America, August 2002) includes
removal of the uvula, ablation of a wide margin of the soft palate and the
tonsils (if applicable) in the office. In thousands of cases treated in our
center to date, only 0.1% of patients had small nasal reflux without
continuous draining of fluid out of nasal passages.
Dr. Madanis extensive studies were reported every year in the annual
meetings of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and
the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons since 1998. These
studies showed snoring reduction by an average of 75% in intensity in over
90% of patients treated. There were no cases of complete silence after
surgery (no cases of silent apnea). Patients who were suffering from sleep
apnea and had to use the CPAP continue to use it at a much lower pressure.
No infection cases or airway obstruction were ever seen in these patients.
No voice changes were noted in the thousands of cases treated by Dr. Madani.
Advantages of Single Step Laser Surgery
Fast:
Procedures are performed in shortest period of time
Painless:
You are sedated and anesthetized during the procedure
In office:
Procedures are performed under monitored anesthesia in the center
Bleeding:
Laser coagulates the tissues as it ablates, generally bleeding is rare
Fast recovery:
You can return to work the following day after surgery
No
hospitalization: Procedures are performed in the office
No general
anesthesia: No operating room and nasal or oral intubation needed
Breathing: You breathe by yourself during the procedure under anesthesia
which
means lower risk of respiratory complications
Immediate
return to work: We encourage all patients to return to work the next
day
after surgery.
Are you ready to sleep together again?
Make your appointment online now
for consultation & evaluation!
1-800-206-2000
|