Somnoplasty

Overview of the procedure
Somnoplasty is a unique surgical procedure for shrinking redundant tissue. It is performed under local anaesthesia in an outpatient department, typically in less than 10 minutes.

Unlike other traditional approaches, Somnoplasty uses very low levels of radiofrequency energy to create finely controlled coagulative zones underneath the mucosal layer. These zones are naturally resorbed by the body, altering the tissue structure by reducing excess tissue. Somnoplasty is designed to minimise the bleeding and pain associated with other techniques.

Tissue Ablation
During the Somnoplasty procedure, local anaesthesia is administered after which a tiny electrode is positioned under the mucosa of the soft palate.

An insulation area protects the mucosa from any thermal effect. The uninsulated portion of the electrode transmits very low levels of radiofrequency energy. The current causes molecular friction, which in turn heats up the tissue without burning it. This friction damages a small area of tissue which is naturally resorbed over a period of a few weeks.

There seem to be three effects from the Somnoplasty procedure for habitual snoring. The coagulative zone is naturally resorbed, leading to issue volume reduction. And the palate is "stiffened" somewhat by the contraction of collagen. Taken together, the propensity of these tissues to vibrate, and thus create the snoring sound, is reduced.