Sleep Surgery

Disrupted sleep, loud snoring, and daytime fatigue caused by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affect millions of adults in the United States. If you’re struggling with poor-quality sleep or difficulty tolerating CPAP, call Vitale Ear, Nose & Throat in Wesley Chapel or Zephyrhills, Florida. The practice’s highly skilled ENT surgeons diagnose the source of your airway obstruction and offer effective, personalized solutions. They specialize in advanced sleep surgery options—including nasal airway procedures, oropharyngeal surgery, and hypoglossal nerve stimulation (Inspire)—to restore healthy nighttime breathing and improve your overall quality of life. Call Vitale Ear, Nose & Throat today or book an appointment online to learn whether sleep surgery is right for you.

What is sleep-disordered breathing and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?

Sleep-disordered breathing occurs when the upper airway repeatedly narrows or collapses during sleep, limiting airflow and disrupting normal sleep cycles. The most common and serious form—obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—causes pauses in breathing, loud snoring, choking or gasping at night, and significant daytime fatigue.

The upper airway includes the nose, soft palate, tonsils, tongue base, and throat muscles. When these structures are too large, too relaxed, or anatomically narrow, they can block airflow as you sleep. OSA is often caused by:

• Nasal obstruction or deviated septum
• Large soft palate or uvula
• Enlarged tonsils
• Tongue-base collapse
• Obesity
• Weak throat muscle tone during sleep
• Jaw or facial structure narrowing the airway
• Aging-related airway laxity
• Neuromuscular disorders

Your Vitale Ear, Nose & Throat surgeon evaluates your symptoms, performs a physical exam, and reviews your sleep study (polysomnogram or home sleep test) to diagnose the severity and source of your obstruction. They examine your nose, palate, tonsils, and tongue base and may perform a flexible nasal endoscopy or Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) to precisely identify where the airway collapses.

What symptoms does sleep-disordered breathing cause?

OSA and upper-airway obstruction can lead to symptoms such as:

• Loud, persistent snoring
• Witnessed pauses in breathing
• Choking or gasping during sleep
• Morning headaches
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability or mood changes
• Dry mouth upon waking
• Poor sleep quality
• Nocturia (waking to urinate)

Severe, untreated OSA increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arrhythmias, and motor-vehicle accidents due to fatigue.

What happens if sleep apnea is left untreated?

When obstructive sleep apnea goes untreated, the repeated drops in oxygen, nighttime awakenings, and strain on the cardiovascular system can lead to serious long-term health problems. Over time, untreated OSA increases the risk of:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
  Frequent nighttime oxygen drops trigger stress hormones that raise blood pressure—often permanently
• Heart disease
  OSA is associated with coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and heart failure.
• Cardiac arrhythmias
  Irregular heart rhythms, especially atrial fibrillation, are significantly more common in patients with untreated OSA.
• Stroke
  Poor oxygenation and vascular strain increase the risk of both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes.
• Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
  Interrupted sleep contributes to insulin resistance and impaired glucose control.
• Cognitive and mood problems
  Patients may experience memory issues, difficulty concentrating, depression, and irritability.
• Accidents and injuries
  Excessive daytime sleepiness increases the risk of motor-vehicle accidents and workplace injuries.
• Decreased quality of life and shortened lifespan
  Chronic fatigue, poor sleep quality, and prolonged cardiovascular stress reduce overall health and longevity.

Treating sleep apnea—whether through CPAP, oral appliances, weight management, or sleep surgery—can dramatically lower these risks and help restore long-term health.

How is obstructive sleep apnea treated?

Your treatment plan depends on the severity of your condition, the level of obstruction, and your response to nonsurgical therapies. Initial treatments may include:

Lifestyle modifications

Weight loss, positional therapy, and avoidance of alcohol or sedatives before bedtime can improve symptoms.

CPAP therapy

Continuous positive airway pressure keeps the airway open during sleep. It’s the gold-standard treatment for moderate to severe OSA but isn’t tolerated by all patients.

Oral appliance therapy

A custom mouthguard repositions the jaw forward to widen the airway.

Nasal treatments

Management of nasal allergies, polyps, or chronic congestion can significantly improve airflow.

Sleep Surgery

Sleep surgery offers a targeted, effective solution for obstructive sleep apnea by correcting the specific areas of airway blockage when CPAP or other conservative treatments are ineffective or poorly tolerated.

Would I need surgery for sleep apnea?

Sleep surgery becomes an excellent option when:

• CPAP is ineffective or not tolerated
• Oral appliances fail to relieve symptoms
• Structural airway obstruction is identified
• Snoring or apnea persists despite conservative measures

Vitale Ear, Nose & Throat offers a full range of advanced, evidence-based sleep surgeries tailored to the exact site of obstruction, including:

Nasal procedures

To improve airflow and reduce resistance

• Nasal valve repair
• Turbinate reduction
• Nasal valve repair

Palatal and oropharyngeal procedures

To reduce vibration and collapse

• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
• Expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty (ESP)

Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation (Inspire® therapy)

A minimally invasive implant that stimulates the tongue-moving nerve during sleep, preventing collapse. It is an excellent option for CPAP-intolerant patients who meet specific criteria.

Following surgery, most patients experience quieter sleep, improved breathing, more energy during the day, and a significant reduction in apnea events.

Call Vitale Ear, Nose & Throat today or book an appointment online to learn more about effective, individualized sleep surgery options and restore healthy, restful sleep.