Sleep Apnea & Snoring Treatment in Chennai

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition where the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing breathing pauses and oxygen drops. Untreated OSA increases risk of hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and accidents due to daytime sleepiness. Treatment is essential for health and quality of life.

Surgery is considered when CPAP therapy fails due to intolerance, poor compliance, or inadequate response. Also considered for patients with significant anatomical obstruction (enlarged tonsils, nasal blockage, tongue base enlargement) who prefer surgical correction. Dr. Vidhyadharan evaluates each case with DISE to determine surgical suitability.

DISE is a specialized diagnostic procedure where a camera examines your airway while you are sedated to simulate natural sleep. This reveals exactly where and how your airway collapses, allowing Dr. Vidhyadharan to plan targeted surgery. Without DISE, surgical planning is less accurate and success rates lower.

Success rates vary by procedure and patient selection. With proper DISE-guided patient selection and multi-level surgery, success rates of 60-80% (defined as 50% reduction in apnea episodes with residual mild disease or better) are achieved. Individual outcomes depend on severity, anatomy, and weight.

Yes, Dr. Vidhyadharan uses Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) for tongue base reduction in selected patients with tongue base obstruction. TORS provides excellent visualization and precision for removing tissue causing airway obstruction, with faster recovery than traditional open approaches.

Modern sleep surgery techniques have significantly reduced pain compared to older procedures. Palatal surgery causes throat pain for 1-2 weeks managed with medications. Tongue base surgery recovery is 2-3 weeks. Most patients return to work within 2 weeks. Complete healing takes 4-6 weeks.

Yes, primary snoring (snoring without significant apnea) can be treated with focused procedures like palatal surgery or radiofrequency reduction. However, a sleep study is essential to rule out underlying sleep apnea, which requires more comprehensive treatment.

The goal of surgery is to eliminate or significantly reduce the need for CPAP. Many patients no longer require CPAP after successful surgery. Some may use it occasionally or at lower pressures. Post-operative sleep study determines residual disease and CPAP needs.

Weight loss is the most effective lifestyle intervention, potentially curing mild-moderate OSA. Avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bed, sleeping on your side, treating nasal allergies, and maintaining good sleep hygiene all help. These complement surgical and medical treatments.

Many insurance policies cover sleep apnea surgery when documented medical necessity is established through sleep study and failed CPAP trial. Coverage varies by policy. Our team assists with insurance documentation and pre-authorization. Contact us for specific coverage questions.

Cost depends on the specific procedures required (nasal surgery, palatal surgery, tongue base surgery, or combination), hospital stay duration, and whether robotic assistance is used. DISE and comprehensive surgical treatment are available at THANC Hospital. Detailed cost estimates are provided after consultation and DISE findings.

Sleep apnea surgery is generally safe when performed by an experienced sleep surgeon. Risks include bleeding, infection, temporary swallowing difficulty, and voice changes. Serious complications are rare. Patients with severe OSA are monitored carefully post-operatively. Dr. Vidhyadharan's specialized training ensures safe surgical care.