Palate Surgery
Tonsils and the palate (roof of the mouth) are commonly addressed surgically in cases of obstructive sleep apnea and / or snoring, and tonsillectomy and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty are well-described procedures in which the basic principle is to decrease the possibilities of collapse and future blockage of airway at this level.
They have multiple technical variations, however most surgeons accept the concept that strengthening and rearranging the palate instead of excessive tissue removal is key to maximize success and minimize possibility of side effects.
For these procedures outcomes can vary widely for individual patients and careful planning and judgment is mandatory.
In cases of patients who may have socially disruptive snoring without significant obstructive sleep apnea, minimally invasive techniques performed as office procedures, including radiofrequency applications and palatal implants can be used in selected patients.
Tonsillectomy with Lateral Pharyngoplasty
Uvulopalatal Flap