Surgery FAQ’s

Surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is usually not done unless other treatments have failed or you are unable or choose not to use other treatments.

Surgery Choices

• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty removes excess tissue in the throat to make the airway wider. It is the most common surgery to treat sleep apnoea in adults.
• Tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy removes the tonsils and/or the adenoids. It is an option if you have enlarged tonsils and adenoids that are blocking your airway during sleep. This is often the first treatment option for children because enlarged tonsils and adenoids are usually the cause of their sleep apnoea.
• Other surgical procedures are used to repair bone and tissue problems in the mouth and throat.
• Tracheostomy creates a hole in the windpipe (trachea). A tube is then put in the hole to bring air in. Doctors rarely use this surgery because it may cause other health problems. But when other techniques have failed, almost all people who are treated with tracheostomy will be cured of their sleep apnoea.
• Bariatric surgery is done for weight loss. If you are extremely overweight (severely obese) and the excess weight is making your sleep apnoea worse, you may consider surgery to help you lose weight. Bariatric surgery can promote weight loss that improves sleep apnoea