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Sleep Apnea: Should I Have Surgery?
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Sleep Apnea: Should I Have Surgery?
1Get the | 2Compare | 3Your | 4Your | 5Quiz | 6Your Summary |
Get the facts
Your options
- Have surgery for sleep apnea.
- Do not have surgery.
Key points to remember
- It's important to treat obstructive sleep apnea, because sleep apnea makes you more likely to have high blood pressure, depression, irregular heart rhythms, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and stroke.
- Your doctor will probably have you try lifestyle changes and CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) first. Surgery might be a choice if you have tried and cannot tolerate CPAP. Or you might have surgery to improve an airway blockage so that you can tolerate CPAP better.
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) surgery (which removes tissue from the back of your throat) may reduce sleep apnea and snoring for some people. But apnea episodes and snoring may return over time. You may still need CPAP after surgery.
- The surgery called tracheostomy (which puts a permanent opening in your neck to your windpipe) almost always cures sleep apnea that is caused by blockage of the upper airway. But other treatments work almost as well in most people. And the surgery can cause many complications.
- Other types of surgery that may be used to treat sleep apnea include:
- Maxillo-mandibular advancement, which moves the upper and lower jaw forward to increase the size of the airway.
- Radiofrequency ablation, which reduces the size of the tongue or other tissue that may be blocking airflow to the lungs.
- Nerve stimulation. A device is implanted in the upper chest. It senses the breathing pattern and mildly stimulates the airway muscles to keep the airway open.
- If you are very overweight, bariatric surgery may help you lose weight. Losing weight may improve your sleep apnea.
What is obstructive sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea occurs when you often stop breathing for 10 seconds or longer during sleep. This may happen 5 to 50 times an hour. The more often it happens, the more serious the apnea is.
What causes obstructive sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea occurs when:
- Your throat muscles and tongue relax during sleep and partially or completely block the airways in your nose, mouth, or throat.
- Bone deformities or enlarged tissues block your airways. For example, you may have enlarged tonsils. During the day when you are awake and standing up, this may not cause problems. But when you lie down at night, the tonsils can press down on your airway, narrowing it and causing sleep apnea.
Other things that make sleep apnea more likely include:
- Taking certain medicines or drinking alcohol before bed.
- Sleeping on your back.
- Being obese, or very overweight.
Why might your doctor recommend surgery?
UPPP: Your doctor may suggest UPPP (to remove excess tissue in your throat) if:
- Your condition is easy to fix, such as very large tonsils.
- You choose not to use—or cannot use—CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) to treat your sleep apnea.
- You have tried CPAP, but it hasn't helped.
Maxillo-mandibular advancement and radiofrequency ablation: Your doctor may recommend one of these other surgical treatments if:
- You choose not to use—or cannot use—CPAP to treat your sleep apnea.
- Oral breathing devices or other types of devices that you wear while you sleep have not worked for you.
- Other forms of surgery are not right for you.
Tracheostomy: Your doctor may recommend tracheostomy (to put a permanent opening in your neck to your windpipe) if:
- You have severe sleep apnea.
- Other treatments have failed.
- Other forms of surgery are not right for you.
Compare your options
Compare
What is usually involved? |
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|---|---|---|
What are the benefits? |
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What are the risks and side effects? |
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- You will probably be asleep during surgery.
- You may snore less.
- You may be less sleepy in the daytime.
- Surgery may make CPAP easier to use.
- You may not need to use CPAP after surgery.
- There are risks with all kinds of surgery, including infection, bleeding, and a bad reaction to anesthesia.
- UPPP has the following risks:
- The surgery may stop your snoring, but you may still have apnea.
- You may still need CPAP after surgery.
- Other problems may include pain, infection, speech problems, and a narrowing of the airway in the nose and throat.
- The main side effect of tracheostomy is that you have a hole in your throat where the breathing tube sits. Other risks may include:
- Scar tissue forming at the opening of the hole in your throat.
- An increased risk of lung infections.
- The risks of maxillo-mandibular advancement are:
- Changes in appearance and in how the teeth meet.
- Jaw numbness and problems swallowing.
- Infection.
- The risks of nerve stimulation are:
- Sore throat, incision pain, and muscle soreness.
- Temporary tongue weakness or soreness.
- Being able to feel the nerve being stimulated.
- Radiofrequency ablation for sleep apnea can cause:
- Damage to tissue near the area being treated.
- Infection.
- Bleeding from the treated area.
- You can try nonsurgical treatments, including lifestyle changes and CPAP.
- You'll avoid the risks of having surgery.
- For most people, lifestyle changes and/or CPAP work to control sleep apnea symptoms.
- Lifestyle changes and CPAP may not be enough if your sleep apnea is very bad.
- CPAP side effects may include nosebleeds, a sore throat, and headaches.
Personal stories about treatment for obstructive sleep apnea
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
I have been using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to treat my sleep apnea for over a year. Since I travel a lot, CPAP isn't very convenient for me. Taking my CPAP machine on business trips is too much trouble for me. I talked with my doctor, and we agreed that surgery might be a good option to treat my sleep apnea.
Jorge, age 54
CPAP is doing wonders for my sleep apnea. It really isn't that much of a bother for me to use. I also read that surgery may only help about half of the time. I am not willing to risk the complications from surgery, so I am going to continue with CPAP.
Dara, age 42
I have been using CPAP. I am tired of being attached to a machine at night while I sleep. My nose is always dry, and my sleep is not improving. I am willing to have surgery to treat my sleep apnea if it can help.
Cal, age 45
Since I have been using CPAP, my sleep apnea symptoms have disappeared. My wife can't believe the change in my attitude during the day. We talked about my having surgery to treat my sleep apnea so I wouldn't have to use CPAP anymore. My doctor said that even if I have the surgery, I still might have to use CPAP. The risks and cost of the surgery and the possibility that I might still have to be on CPAP are not worth it.
Gordon, age 50
What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have surgery for sleep apnea
Reasons not to have surgery
I'm willing to try surgery to get better.
I want to avoid surgery at all costs.
I want to try surgery even though I know I may have to go back to using CPAP afterward.
I don't want to go through surgery if there's a chance I'll have to go back to using CPAP anyway.
My appearance after a tracheostomy—having a hole in my throat—won't bother me.
I don't like the idea of living with a hole in my throat.
I don't like the side effects of using CPAP, so I rarely use it.
The side effects of CPAP aren't bad enough to keep me from using it.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Having surgery
Trying other treatments
What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Your Summary
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits
| Author | Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff |
|---|---|
| Clinical Review Board | Clinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals. |
Sleep Apnea: Should I Have Surgery?
- Get the facts
- Compare your options
- What matters most to you?
- Where are you leaning now?
- What else do you need to make your decision?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
- Have surgery for sleep apnea.
- Do not have surgery.
Key points to remember
- It's important to treat obstructive sleep apnea, because sleep apnea makes you more likely to have high blood pressure, depression, irregular heart rhythms, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and stroke.
- Your doctor will probably have you try lifestyle changes and CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) first. Surgery might be a choice if you have tried and cannot tolerate CPAP. Or you might have surgery to improve an airway blockage so that you can tolerate CPAP better.
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) surgery (which removes tissue from the back of your throat) may reduce sleep apnea and snoring for some people. But apnea episodes and snoring may return over time. You may still need CPAP after surgery.
- The surgery called tracheostomy (which puts a permanent opening in your neck to your windpipe) almost always cures sleep apnea that is caused by blockage of the upper airway. But other treatments work almost as well in most people. And the surgery can cause many complications.
- Other types of surgery that may be used to treat sleep apnea include:
- Maxillo-mandibular advancement, which moves the upper and lower jaw forward to increase the size of the airway.
- Radiofrequency ablation, which reduces the size of the tongue or other tissue that may be blocking airflow to the lungs.
- Nerve stimulation. A device is implanted in the upper chest. It senses the breathing pattern and mildly stimulates the airway muscles to keep the airway open.
- If you are very overweight, bariatric surgery may help you lose weight. Losing weight may improve your sleep apnea.
What is obstructive sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea occurs when you often stop breathing for 10 seconds or longer during sleep. This may happen 5 to 50 times an hour. The more often it happens, the more serious the apnea is.
What causes obstructive sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea occurs when:
- Your throat muscles and tongue relax during sleep and partially or completely block the airways in your nose, mouth, or throat.
- Bone deformities or enlarged tissues block your airways. For example, you may have enlarged tonsils. During the day when you are awake and standing up, this may not cause problems. But when you lie down at night, the tonsils can press down on your airway, narrowing it and causing sleep apnea.
Other things that make sleep apnea more likely include:
- Taking certain medicines or drinking alcohol before bed.
- Sleeping on your back.
- Being obese, or very overweight.
Why might your doctor recommend surgery?
UPPP: Your doctor may suggest UPPP (to remove excess tissue in your throat) if:
- Your condition is easy to fix, such as very large tonsils.
- You choose not to use—or cannot use—CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) to treat your sleep apnea.
- You have tried CPAP, but it hasn't helped.
Maxillo-mandibular advancement and radiofrequency ablation: Your doctor may recommend one of these other surgical treatments if:
- You choose not to use—or cannot use—CPAP to treat your sleep apnea.
- Oral breathing devices or other types of devices that you wear while you sleep have not worked for you.
- Other forms of surgery are not right for you.
Tracheostomy: Your doctor may recommend tracheostomy (to put a permanent opening in your neck to your windpipe) if:
- You have severe sleep apnea.
- Other treatments have failed.
- Other forms of surgery are not right for you.
2. Compare your options
| Have surgery for sleep apnea | Do not have surgery for sleep apnea | |
|---|---|---|
| What is usually involved? |
|
|
| What are the benefits? |
|
|
| What are the risks and side effects? |
|
|
Personal stories
Personal stories about treatment for obstructive sleep apnea
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"I have been using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to treat my sleep apnea for over a year. Since I travel a lot, CPAP isn't very convenient for me. Taking my CPAP machine on business trips is too much trouble for me. I talked with my doctor, and we agreed that surgery might be a good option to treat my sleep apnea."
— Jorge, age 54
"CPAP is doing wonders for my sleep apnea. It really isn't that much of a bother for me to use. I also read that surgery may only help about half of the time. I am not willing to risk the complications from surgery, so I am going to continue with CPAP."
— Dara, age 42
"I have been using CPAP. I am tired of being attached to a machine at night while I sleep. My nose is always dry, and my sleep is not improving. I am willing to have surgery to treat my sleep apnea if it can help."
— Cal, age 45
"Since I have been using CPAP, my sleep apnea symptoms have disappeared. My wife can't believe the change in my attitude during the day. We talked about my having surgery to treat my sleep apnea so I wouldn't have to use CPAP anymore. My doctor said that even if I have the surgery, I still might have to use CPAP. The risks and cost of the surgery and the possibility that I might still have to be on CPAP are not worth it."
— Gordon, age 50
3. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have surgery for sleep apnea
Reasons not to have surgery
I'm willing to try surgery to get better.
I want to avoid surgery at all costs.
I want to try surgery even though I know I may have to go back to using CPAP afterward.
I don't want to go through surgery if there's a chance I'll have to go back to using CPAP anyway.
My appearance after a tracheostomy—having a hole in my throat—won't bother me.
I don't like the idea of living with a hole in my throat.
I don't like the side effects of using CPAP, so I rarely use it.
The side effects of CPAP aren't bad enough to keep me from using it.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
4. Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Having surgery
Trying other treatments
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
1. Do you need treatment even if your sleep apnea doesn't bother you too much?
- Yes
- No
- I'm not sure
2. Is surgery usually a doctor's first choice in treating sleep apnea?
- Yes
- No
- I'm not sure
3. Does UPPP always work well for sleep apnea?
- Yes
- No
- I'm not sure
4. Does tracheostomy almost always cure sleep apnea?
- Yes
- No
- I'm not sure
Decide what's next
1. Do you understand the options available to you?
2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
Certainty
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
- I'm ready to take action.
- I want to discuss the options with others.
- I want to learn more about my options.
| By | Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff |
|---|---|
| Clinical Review Board | Clinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals. |
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
Current as of: July 31, 2024
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
