Snoreplasty

What is Snoreplasty?

Snoreplasty is a new office procedure for reducing or eliminating snoring. In Snoreplasty (sometimes called Injection Snoreplasty), a topical anesthetic is used to numb the back of the throat. Next, a sclerosing agent commonly used to treat varicose veins (Sotrodecol) is injected into the palate. This causes the roof of the mouth to stiffen during the next three weeks, thus stopping the fluttering of the palate that creates the noise of snoring.

Developed in 1999 at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C., Snoreplasty was more accurately born half a century ago. In 1943, Chicago physician Dr. J.F. Strauss had injected the palates of volunteers with a similar sclerosing agent and had successfully reduced some snoring. No one followed up on Dr. Strauss’s idea, however, until several years ago when a U.S. Air Force physician happened to find an article about the early experiment.

When is Snoreplasty Appropriate?

During an office examination in this department, your physician will perform fiberoptic evaluation and other tests to determine the source of upper airway obstruction. Snoreplasty may be appropriate if excess tissue in the soft palate is completely or largely responsible for your snoring. If the source of airway obstruction lies elsewhere, such as at the base of the tongue, Snoreplasty will not be recommended.

How Effective is Snoreplasty?

The advantages of Snoreplasty are compelling: is it very inexpensive, virtually painless, and appears to be highly effective. For several days after the injection, patients may have a minor sore throat and feel like they have peanut butter stuck to the roof of their mouths.

Since the technique has been developed so recently, however, long-term studies of its efficacy and safety have not yet been conducted. The sclerosing agent has been used intraorally for twenty year, however, with an excellent safety record. Preliminary research conducted at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center found Snoreplasty to be 92% effective in controlling snoring. Anyone considering snoreplasty must note that palatal fluttering may account for only a small portion of snoring, or may be completely uninvolved.

In this department, Dr. Ahn has performed Snoreplasty for two years in patients who snore. The effect of Snoreplasty on sleep apnea is not known; research is underway.

For further information on treatments for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea:

Turbinectomy

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

Somnoplasty for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)