New Procedure Can Put Habitual Snoring To Rest

FARMINGTON — Hope for people who snore – and their sleepless spouses – can be found at the University of Connecticut Health Center where specialists are using a new outpatient procedure to put habitual snoring to rest.

The “somnoplasty” procedure uses a low power, low temperature, radio-frequency energy device to gently reduce the excess tissue in the upper airway that can cause snoring. It is safe, effective and results are usually experienced within four to six weeks after the procedure.

“This technique is great for the right people,” said Health Center Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist Jeffrey Spiro, MD. He stressed that the somnoplasty is not used to correct sleep apnea, a more serious condition caused by a blockage of the airway that can make people stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep.

“The ideal candidate for somnoplasty has a significant problem with snoring, but does not have sleep apnea,” Dr Spiro said.

To determine if somnoplasty is right for patients, Dr Spiro first conducts a thorough ENT exam to determine the level of airway collapse. Patients who appear to have sleep apnea are referred to the Health Center’s Sleep Disorders Clinic for additional tests.

If the patient is a good candidate for somnoplasty, the procedure can be done in the ENT office. It typically takes about 30 minutes, and is performed under local anesthesia. Some people need to repeat the procedure to fully eliminate snoring.

Dr Spiro said the somnoplasty device can also be used as an effective way to treat chronic nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

The somnoplasty system was developed by Somnus Medical Technologies, Inc of Sunnyvale, CA, which develops devices to treat a range of upper airway obstructions.