Somnoplasty

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Somnoplasty is comprised of the Latin root somnus meaning sleep, and the Greek word plastia meaning molding or formation. Somnoplasty is a medical treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat three conditions: habitual snoring, chronic nasal obstruction, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using radio frequency (RF) energy to shrink the tissues that are causing the problem. Somnoplasty is typically an out-patient procedure where you visit the office for a 30-45 minute appointment and then can go about your day.The patient is given a local anesthetic and a special electrode is used that delivers RF energy under the surface of the tissue is used. The electrode is used to administer controlled, low-power RF energy to create coagulative (clotting) lesions beneath the mucosa (lining) of the targeted areas:
  • For chronic nasal obstruction the turbinates are targeted
  • For habitual snoring the soft palate and the uvula are targeted
  • For obstructive sleep apnea the base of the tongue and other airway structures are targeted
    • (the actual areas targeted depends on each individuals specific anatomy, so the above are just general associations.After 6-8 weeks the lesions are naturally resorbed, which reduces the volume of the tissue while stiffening what remains. When this occurs the airway is enlarged, allowing a less-restricted flow of air. Several follow-up treatments are usually required to obtain the desired results

    Common Side Effects

  • swelling
  • discomfort

    • History

    Somnoplasty was developed by a company named Somnus Medical Technologies, and received FDA clearance in November of 1998 for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

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