Snoring
Brian G. Lee M.D.
480-994-0308
7245 East Osborn Road, Suite 1
Scottsdale, Arizona 85251
Phoenix ENT Doctors- Pillar Stop Snoring Surgery in Phoenix AZ
Phoenix ENT doctors specializing in snoring surgery, the types of surgery to stop snoring, often provide their patients with several different options for treatment. The reason many find and ent doctor in Phoenix AZ for surgery to help them stop snoring, is that some ENT doctors in Phoenix are specialists in these types of procedures, as they deal with issues of the upper respiratory system and conditions of the head and neck elusively.
ENT Surgeons in Phoenix AZ that treat and cure snoring are often the first type of doctor that most family practice physicians refer patients to, for treatment. Issues concerning the ears nose and throat, such as hearing disorders, chronic ear infections, balance issues, and chronic snoring can usually be address by most ear nose and throat doctors. ENT doctors in Phoenix also treat conditions such as sinusitis and even provide surgery for those with chronic infections.
Some ENT’s often choose to limit their medical practice to one of the following specialties: Pediatric ENT, allergy treatment, facial plastic surgery or reconstructive surgery, or head, neck and throat surgery.
Pillar Procedure – Snoring Surgery
Certain ear nose and throat doctors provide help to those suffering with chronic snoring, by providing minimally invasive surgery to treat chronic snorers. A minimally invasive surgery to stop snoring, called the Pillar Procedure has proven to be extremely successful for many patients. Pillar surgery uses pallet implants to strengthen the soft pallet, thus is often preferred by many surgeons vs. other more invasive procedures that require the removal of tonsils, adenoids, and even parts of the soft palate and the uvula, to surgically widen the patient’s airway.
Options You Should Know About
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is an invasive procedure, that must be done under general anesthesia.
Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) and Cautery-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (CAUP) can accomplish similar results to uvulopalatoplasty by using lasers and electro-cauterization together. This can be effective and cost less, as it can be performed in-office using only local anesthesia.
Somnoplasty (also known as Radio Frequency Tissue Reduction or Radio Frequency Ablation) uses radio waves to reduce excess tissue and stiffens the remaining portion. The technique is quite new, but initial studies appear promising.
Cautery-assisted palatal stiffening operation (CAPSO) uses electro-cautery equipment to achieve a similar result as Somnoplasty.
Probably the newest and most promising technique is the Pillar Procedure. This “stop snoring” technique does not remove any tissue, rather uses a non surgical approach to place tiny thread like implants to the soft pallet to make the soft pallet stiffer. Pillar is virtually painless and is effective for chronic snorers, as a more ridged soft pallet reduces the vibration in the throat which causes patients to snore.