Sleep Apnea: New Surgery for Better Sleep
A 55-year-old man, Mr. Chen, has long suffered from poor sleep. He always experiences fatigue upon waking up, feeling sleepless and lacking energy during the day. His wife noticed that, in addition to loud snoring, he often suddenly stopped breathing. Recently, the condition was worsen when using supine position almost prevented him from breathing, requiring him to sleep on his side or in a sitting position.
After using a "micro sleep monitoring device," he was confirmed to have "severe obstructive sleep apnea." Although he initially attempted treatment with a ventilator, he couldn't tolerate the long-term use of a face mask. As an alternative, he adopted for a new and improved surgical treatment, ultimately achieving a good night's sleep.
Simple monitoring devices play a crucial role in identifying the causes of sleep disorders.
Traditionally, the standard diagnostic method for sleep disorders called "polysomnography (PSG)." However, this requires individuals to spend a night in a hospital, attached on numerous wires and monitoring devices, making it very difficult to fall sleep. Additionally, due to the limited number of sleep testing centers in Taiwan, with just over 50 facilities, some patients face waiting for three months to a year, discouraging them from seeking timely medical attention and potentially deteriorating their conditions.
The article also mentions a surgical procedure called "suspension lateral pharyngoplasty," with an 80% success rate in improving sleep apnea symptoms.
Since 2017, patients have had the option of using a free "simple sleep monitoring device" under a physician's referral. This involves using a portable device and accessories to complete the examination at home. The latest "micro sleep monitoring device" requires the test subject to attach a compact monitoring device on their chest before sleep, without the need for any wires. After one night, they return the device, and through big data analysis, various causes of sleep disorders can be interpreted.
The traditional treatment for obstructive sleep apnea primarily involved the use of positive airway pressure (PAP) devices. However, statistics showed that up to 50% of patients can’t tolerate wearing a mask for long terms. The novel "suspension lateral pharyngoplasty," introduced in 2017, effectively expands the airway area. Even in severe cases, more than 80% of patients experience significant improvement. The procedure, requiring minimal removal of the tonsils, results in a smaller incision, reducing pain and hospitalization time.
The article emphasizes that this treatment approach provides better support and reduces the likelihood of postoperative recurrence, making it a favorable option for patients with obstructive sleep apnea.