Snoring can be frustrating, affecting both the person snoring and their partner’s sleep. Snoring can produce disrupted sleep, which leads to daytime fatigue, poor concentration, and mood swings. Chronic snoring can also increase the risk of serious health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. While lifestyle changes and non-surgical treatments help many, surgery may be an option for persistent cases. ENT specialists listed on Doctify can help evaluate whether surgery is right for an individual.
Why Snoring Happens
Snoring occurs when relaxed tissues in the throat, such as tongue and soft palate, vibrate against each other when breathing during sleep, narrowing the airway and creating the sound. This vibration happens because the muscles in the throat naturally relax, allowing air to flow past these tissues with resistance, which can be worsened by some factors. The common contributing factors usually are: nasal obstruction, enlarged tonsils, obesity, or relaxed throat muscles. Different causes require different treatments – which is why evaluation is important.
When to Consider Surgery for Snoring
Surgery for snoring should be considered when the non-surgical options (weight management, nasal strips, oral appliances, CPAP for sleep apnoea) have not worked, when snoring is severe, disruptive, or linked to sleep apnoea, or when ENT evaluation shows structural issues such as long soft palate or enlarged uvula.
Surgical Options for Snoring
UPPP (Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty)
Removes or reshapes tissue from the soft palate and throat to widen the airway. Often used when soft palate tissue is the main cause of snoring. Frequently used to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). But, the ENT specialist may recommend this surgery to treat severe snoring, even if you do not have OSA.
Radiofrequency Palatal Reduction
Uses energy to shrink and stiffen tissues of the soft palate, reducing vibrations that cause snoring and upper airway resistance. A needle-like probe delivers controlled heat to the tissue, creating scar tissue that tightens and reduces the soft palate’s size. The procedure is done under local anesthesia, is minimally invasive, and takes about 10 minutes. Often requires two or three sessions for the best results, but has a short recovery each session.
Other ENT Procedures
- Septoplasty (straightening nasal septum).
- Tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy.
- Inspire therapy or newer approaches for selected patients.
Benefits and Limitations
Surgery can reduce or eliminate snoring when anatomy is the main factor. The benefits of getting surgery for snoring are multiple, for example it improves sleep quality, reduces relationship strain, decreases daytime fatigue, and minimises mood swings. Nevertheless, there is not always a “cure”, success depends on careful patient selection and lifestyle factors.
Risks and Complications
Although realizing a surgery for snoring is very beneficial, risks exist and complications may occur. The common, short-term effects are sore throat, swallowing difficulties, and temporary changes in voice. Some possible complications include bleeding, infection, or scarring. Nonetheless, risks and complications are minimised when surgery is performed by an experienced ENT specialist.
Recovery and Aftercare
After surgery, recovery and a good aftercare is required. During the first weeks, rest, pain relief, and dietary adjustments are fundamental. The dietary adjustments include a liquid and soft food diet, and a high ingest of water. For relieving the pain cold compresses may be applied to the area and painkillers may be taken under medical prescription. Usually after 2-4 weeks the patient should have a full recovery, but it varies by procedure. The aftercare involves ongoing monitoring to check improvement in snoring and overall sleep quality. As well, taking care of yourself and following the ENT recommendations after the surgery.
When to See a Specialist
If snoring is severe, persistent, or linked with sleep apnoea symptoms (daytime sleepiness, choking during sleep), contact an ENT specialist urgently. Moreover, if lifestyle and non-surgical measures haven’t helped, contact an ENT specialist as soon as you can. Doctify makes it simple to connect with ENT surgeons who can assess suitability for surgical options.
Conclusion
Snoring can be exasperating and uncomfortable for both the patient and the family members. Surgery is not the first step for snoring, lifestyle and non-surgical changes are first (including weight management, nasal strips, oral appliances, CPAP for sleep apnoea). However, surgery can be the right answer for some. UPPP and palatal procedures can improve breathing and sleep in selected patients. We invite you to book a consultation with a trusted ENT specialist on Doctify to discuss whether surgery could help you.
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Medically Reviewed
Last reviewed on 14/09/2025
