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| SOMNOPLASTY
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Southern California Head and Neck Medical Group is excited to announce a major breakthrough in the continuing battle against problem snoring. This new procedure is called somnoplasty and uses a unique new surgical devise to shrink the redundant soft tissue of the soft palate that is the common cause of problem snoring.
Unlike the traditional approaches to snoring and obstructive sleep disorders this new approach is almost painless and has minimal side effects. Initial clinical studies done at Stanford University showed resolution of snoring in 75% of patients and 25% of patients were greatly improved. Unlike conventional surgery and even laser assisted Palatoplasty, this new procedure utilizes very low levels over radiofrequency energy to create finally controlled zones of coagulation beneath the mucosal layer of oral tissue. These zones are naturally reabsorbed by the body which reduce excess palatal
tissue that most often cause snoring.
The real benefit of this new procedure, however, is in its sparing effect on the mucous membrane where the majority of pain fibers and blood vessels are located. Since no incision is made in the surface membrane, both bleeding and pain have been reduced to an absolute minimum. Somnoplasty is performed under local anesthesia in our outpatient surgical suite.
THE DEVICE
The Somnoplasty system consistent of a programmable radiofrequency generator with temperature and impedance monitoring and a proprietary disposable surgical device that delivers radiofrequency energy to a highly selective area. An insulating sleeve at the base of the single needle electrode protects the tissue surrounding the treatment area from thermal damage. This prevents tissue sloughing and minimizes discomfort.
Precise thermocouples continuously monitor tissue temperature and provide the surgeon with the ability to protect the mucosa from inadvertent treatment.
THE PROCEDURE
During the Somnoplasty procedure local anesthesia is administered after which a tiny needle electrode is positioned under the mucosa of the soft palate. An insulated area protects the mucosa from the thermal effect. The uninsulated portion of the electrode transmits very low levels of radiofrequency energy. The current causes molecular friction which generates heat without protein coagulation which is resorbed by the body over a period of a few weeks.
THE EFFECTS
There seem to be three effects from the Somnoplasty procedure that reduce or eliminate habitual snoring.
-The coagulation zone is naturally resorbed which leads to tissue volume reduction.
-The muscle in the uvula retracts, lifting the uvula higher in the mouth and further from tongue.
-Thirdly, the palate is stiffened somewhat by the coagulation of collagen.
These effects taken together reduce the propensity of these tissues to vibrate and it is the vibration of these tissues that generates problem snoring.
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