Snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea
Specialist assessment and surgical management for adults with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea, working alongside the sleep physicians of St Vincent’s Hospital.
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) occurs when the upper airway repeatedly narrows or closes during sleep, interrupting breathing and disrupting sleep. Our surgeons work with sleep physicians and other specialists to assess the upper airway and determine appropriate treatment.
What we treat
- Moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea in adults who cannot tolerate CPAP or an oral appliance
- Referral for consideration of hypoglossal nerve stimulation trials, through our association with the sleep physician service at St Vincent’s Hospital
Surgical management of sleep apnoea
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is an effective first-line treatment, but some patients cannot tolerate it or remain symptomatic. Surgery may be considered in appropriately selected patients after review of the sleep study, symptoms and upper airway anatomy. Depending on the individual, options include nasal surgery to improve nasal breathing, tonsillectomy, palatal surgery including uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), tongue base surgery including coblation techniques, transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in selected patients, and multilevel upper airway surgery.
The aim of surgery is to reduce upper airway obstruction and improve sleep-disordered breathing. Treatment is individualised and surgery does not guarantee resolution of OSA. Post-operative assessment, including repeat sleep studies where appropriate, is important to evaluate the outcome.
Referrals
Public referrals follow St Vincent’s Hospital’s established referral process; the referral form and how to send it are on the St Vincent’s Hospital ENT page. Private referrals go directly to the surgeon’s rooms.
Include relevant clinical information, previous sleep study results and details of treatments already trialled, including CPAP or mandibular advancement devices.
Patients should ideally have been assessed by a sleep physician and have a diagnostic sleep study available before surgical consultation.
Our surgeons
The department’s consultant surgeons work across the full breadth of otolaryngology, head and neck and skull base surgery. Each consults publicly through St Vincent’s Hospital and privately in their own rooms.