Snore-Op® The Radiofrequency Tissue Volume Reduction technique (eg “Snore-Op”) is amongst the most likely to succeed (around 80% of our patients have a reduction with one treatment, and a further 10% respond to a second treatment). It is a minor operation requiring only local anaesthesia, and done in the doctor’s office.
Options for the snorer are quite varied, and really depend on where the snoring originates. This is determined by the examination of a doctor experienced in this field. Doctors trained in the “Snore-Op” method have had extra training in this examination and technique. Most people who present to the doctor have tried a range of treatments with limited success. Most methods have benefit for some patients and range from throat and nose sprays, nasal splints, jaw advancements splints, to minor and major surgical corrections.
The Snore-Op: The Radiofrequency Tissue Volume Reduction technique (eg “Snore-Op”) is amongst the most likely to succeed (around 80% of our patients have a reduction with one treatment, and a further 10% respond to a second treatment). It is a minor operation requiring only local anaesthesia, and done in the doctor’s office. It is very like a trip to the dentist, where local anaesthetic is used to numb the palate, and two small areas of the soft palate are treated painlessly. The snoring gets worse for two or three nights, then lessens progressively over about 2 months. Most notice initial improvements from about 14 to 21 days postoperatively. The effectiveness and longevity of these results varies in individuals. A patient who reduces his snoring to less than “3” on the snoring scale below is likely to have a result lasting 3 to 5-plus years in our experience. Other treatment options will also “wear off” with increasing age and weight. It is a very simple matter to repeat this treatment, and it is very cost-effective. Much of this method was pioneered and developed by New Zealand doctors, and is now used world-wide.
In a survey of fifty patients, they were asked to rate the pain they felt after the anaesthetic wore off. They rated the pain on average 2/10, ranging from zero to four. Only a quarter of them felt they needed mild analgesia.
However, some choose to take two panadeine prior to the operation to cover the possibility of pain when the local wears off ninety minutes later. Anti-inflammatories and aspirin-like drugs are not recommended. People who have had the major surgical operations (UPPP and LAUP) can have a “Snore-Op” to re-tighten their palates. This has been very effective in certain cases.
