Nasal Surgery for Sleep ApneaTo alleviate the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, patients will need to receive a treatment that allows them to breathe freely while they sleep. For some patients, treatment may involve increasing the volume of the nasal passage to prevent it from collapsing. At Dallas Oral Surgery Associates, we offer nasal surgery as a treatment option to allow for better air intake. Through examination, we can determine your best treatment options by observing the structure of your nose and throat. We may recommend nasal surgery if removable dental appliances are not an option. Ideally, most air is breathed in through the nose. If you have sleep apnea or a nasal cavity that is generally limited in size, the amount of air you can breathe in is limited. As a result, breathing can be limited during the day, but most patients are primarily affected at night. Sleeping on your back can have a negative effect on breathing, and the muscles relaxing during sleep can cause the airway to be obstructed. The most common nasal surgical procedures we offer to increase the airway are known as a septoplasty and a turbinate reduction. Both of these treatments are typically performed in conjunction to one another and are outpatient procedures, meaning you will be able to return home on the day of surgery once the procedures are complete. SeptoplastyA septoplasty will straighten the septum, or the bone structure centered in your nose. Due to an injury or genetics, some patients may have a crooked or deviated septum. This can limit your breathing while awake and exacerbate breathing problems while sleeping. Depending on the extent of the surgery and your personal comfort, the septum can be adjusted with local anesthetic or under general anesthesia. During this procedure, our surgeons will either straighten or remove bone from the septum as needed. Due to weakness in the lower nasal cartilage, some patients may also be suffering from a nasal valve collapse. This can further worsen symptoms of sleep apnea, as the nostrils will have difficulty staying open. If you have a nasal valve collapse, our surgeons will remove deviated cartilage from the septum and place it strategically in the valve. This will help repair the collapse and strengthen the nasal valve. Turbinate ReductionTurbinates are small structures in the nose made of bone, soft tissue, and mucous membranes. These structures are responsible for filtering, purifying, and humidifying the air you breathe in. For patients with allergies, turbinates can easily become inflamed and restrict breathing, contributing to worsening sleep apnea. During a turbinate reduction procedure, the bones and tissue around the turbinates will be trimmed away. This reduction will create a larger airway and improve breathing. Scheduling SurgeryAre you hoping to improve your airway and your breathing in spite of sleep apnea? The first step in scheduling a septoplasty or turbinate reduction is scheduling a consultation. A consultation appointment will allow us to determine the cause of your sleep apnea and review your ideal treatment options. If non-surgical treatments and appliances have not been effective, our Dallas office offers a variety of surgical treatments to address sleep apnea. To schedule a consultation or learn more about your surgical options, give us a call at 214-363-9946. |