Dr. Paul Gittelman is please to announce the availability of SOMNOPLASTY™, a breakthrough, state of the art, FDA approved procedure to treat simple snoring and nasal obstruction.
This new procedure called SOMNOPLASTY™ uses low power, low temperature radio-frequency energy to treat a well defined area in the uvula and soft palate or the nose, tonsils and tongue base. The procedure takes place in our office under local anesthesia, and typically takes less than thirty minutes. Radio-frequency energy is delivered beneath the surface layer of the soft palate or nose, called the mucosa. The treated tissue is heated just enough to create an area of coagulation. Over the next four to eight weeks the treated tissue is naturally removed by the body, reducing the volume and stiffening the area responsible for snoring or nasal obstruction.
There may be some swelling and discomfort for a few days following the procedure, not unlike the feeling of an oncoming cold. During the next one to two months or so one should experience a gradual decrease in snoring or nasal congestion. Depending on the initial severity of the problem, the SOMNOPLASTY™ procedure may need to be repeated. Since the delicate lining of the soft palate and nose is protected, the SOMNOPLASTY™ procedure is virtually painless and allows for a quick recovery without the pain associated with conventional and laser-assisted surgeries.
Not all people with snoring or nasal obstruction are candidates for the SOMNOPLASTY™ procedure. Snoring can be associated with enlargement of other tissues of the nose or throat and can be aggravated by excess weight, alcohol intake and smoking. Snoring may be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a serious disorder in which the snorer stops breathing several times an hour during sleep. A full examination must be performed to differentiate "simple snoring" from a more significant breathing disorder. This will allow us to identify the appropriate candidate for the SOMNOPLASTY™ procedure.
Currently, SOMNOPLASTY™ is indicated for simple snoring and not obstructive sleep apnea. Unfortunately, most insurance companies consider simple snoring a social issue rather than a medical problem worthy of coverage. Still, you should check the policy of your particular carrier.
For more information about this breakthrough procedure, please visit the Somnus web site.