Posted by Captin Cannuck on June 30, 2008 at 11:21:06:In Reply to: Re: Appointment with ENT made posted by Captin Cannuck on June 30, 2008 at 11:10:39:
I lifted this from Question 34 in that Ask the Expert section. This is what Dr. Li says on UPPP:
"One should ask whether UPPP is a good operation for sleep apnea. From my point of view, the answer is no. The important issue here is that although UPPP does help some patients with sleep apnea, it can create side effects such as swallowing difficulties, throat dryness and sensitivity, as Capistrano is experiencing (LAUP is worse).
The central problem is that the operation is flawed in that the uvula is removed. Additionally, delicate tissues are replaced by scars which also contribute to the side effects. I have always lectured on this topic as I have opposed the removal of uvula for many years. I never believed that uvula contributed to sleep apnea and have designed operation to preserve the uvula while expanding the airway (http://www.sleepapneasurgery.com/pharyngoplasty.html).
The key in sleep apnea throat surgery is not how much tissues are removed to open the airway, but is how the airway can be improve by making them less floppy. By preserving important tissues, side effects can be minimized. "
By the way. You may not be familiar with some terms: "Soft tissue" sugeries refer to surgeries of the tissue in the throat.
In contrast MMA (maxilomandibular advancement) is a jaw-bone surgery. It is not a soft tissue one. It is superior for that reason. It invoves cutting the jawbones and then extending them. The tongue is attached to the chin, so by extending the jawbones, the tongue and upper airway is expanded. If you look at people's blogs you can see what I a talking about.
Basically, the MMA is recommendable.
- Re: Appointment with ENT made Captin Cannuck 13:00 6/30/08 (1)
- Re: Appointment with ENT made exhausted 11:47 7/03/08 (0)