Somnoplasty vs Pillar vs UUUP?

[lburas]

My ENT said I have a "short palate." What impact would that have on apnea or snoring?He does both Somnoplasty and UUUP but he says I need UUUP because "the somnoplasty wouldn't do any good." I had an RDI index of 12 per hour during total sleep time and an REM RDI of 26.5. He said this is "mild to moderate" apnea and the Somnoplasty "would only be good for mild apnea." I have read that UUUP can cause more problems than it solves so am hesitant to go ahead with it. Has anyone had Somnoplasty for apnea? If so, what were your results?
Thanks!

[Billinseattle]

Iburas,

Get another opinion.

Yes, the somnoplasty generally works for snoring or mild apnea.

Yes, the UPPP (UP3) is a high cost/ low benefit procedure with potential side-effects.

Your RDI is only 12. That is fairly low. If my AHI or RDI were that low...I'd try the most minimally invasive solutions first. CPAP, BIPAP, AutoPAP, TAP dental device, then on to procedures: pillar, nose procedures (if needed). Reserve any larger procedures for any worsening of your OSA and/or failure of these less invasive modalities.

A pillar- TAP combination has had much discussion here lately. Either a TAP alone or in combination with a pillar may completely do the trick with minimal potential for irreversible problems or side-effects.

I've had the UPPP. It is not a picnic...nor did it help my apnea. While it is "doable" I'd avoid falling into the "let's do this operation because it is the one I know best " trap that many ENT surgeons will lead you to.

Look around, as you are doing, and then get a dental sleep specialist and another ENT opinion. There are too many better solutions out there to jump into a big procedure with mild to moderate disease.

Good luck,

Bill

[otispk]

I've had both and neither were lasting. I had the UPPP 20 years ago and it was moderately effective for a year or so. I recntly had three sessions of somnoplasty and I'm back to where I started. CPAP is the only thing that I found that works.

[Gipper]

I agree on NOT having the UPPP. I had it done about 7 years ago and wish I never did. I would try the Pillars or Somnoplasty over UPPP.

Gip

[Sleepy Stoboy]

Generally the ENTs are looking for a long soft palate as a way to profile whether the pillar implants will give you a significant reduction in your RDI.

That being said, if he's ruling out the pillar procedure for a short palate, I don't understand why he is advising cutting it out with the UPPP. That seems to contradict itself.

I'd get another ENT opinion. Surgically, there are a number of options, and frankly most of them don't have solid data on the effectiveness of the procedures. But determining where your obstruction lies (in one or multiple places) is where you want to start. If your problem is in your palate, you want to address that. Same with the rear of tongue area. But you need a good scope by an ENT that knows what to look for first. Then you'll be in a better position to narrow down some of the surgical options.

[nolajoe]

Had three sessions of Somnoplasty about 7 years ago..I tried this to help my snoring, having not yet been diagnosed with OSA..Very little short term relief from snoring..The Somnoplasty was expensive and I can not recommend it to anybody..APAP since 8/04, and doing much better with snoring and restful sleep..