Sleep Apnea Surgery – Treatment for Loud Snoring
Sleep apnea is far more than just disruptive snoring: it is a condition characterized by nightly breathing pauses that prevent the body from receiving sufficient oxygen. Those affected no longer sleep restfully, which leads to severe daytime fatigue and exhaustion in the short term, and in the long term can cause serious health problems such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders. Sleep apnea surgery widens the airways, quickly and effectively improving not only health but also overall well-being.
Surgical treatment of sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious condition in which the airways collapse during sleep, causing snoring and breathing interruptions. Left untreated, it carries an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, arrhythmias, and diabetes. While it is often treated with conservative methods such as CPAP masks or mandibular advancement devices, these approaches do not always provide the desired results. If breathing interruptions persist or the mask is not tolerated, surgery can offer a permanent solution.
60–90 Minuten
Fit für den Alltag
Nach 10 Tagen
Pflaster- und Fadenentfernung nach 7 Tagen
Ambulant
Frequently asked questions about sleep apnea surgery
Can sleep apnea be cured?
Yes. For many patients, surgical treatment can greatly improve or even completely resolve sleep apnea. Especially when the causes are anatomical, surgery can permanently correct them, preventing further breathing interruptions.
What is the best treatment for sleep apnea?
The most suitable treatment depends on the severity and causes of the condition. For mild sleep apnea, CPAP masks or dental devices often help. For more severe cases, or when conservative therapies fail, a one-time surgical procedure can effectively and permanently relieve or even eliminate symptoms.
Is sleep apnea surgery dangerous?
Like any surgery, there are risks, such as swelling, bleeding, or temporary changes in sensation. However, in specialized clinics, sleep apnea surgery is considered a routine procedure with high safety and excellent success rates. Before any surgery, a thorough evaluation is performed to ensure that the method is suitable for you and carries no unusual risks.
What happens if sleep apnea is not treated?
Untreated sleep apnea significantly increases the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, arrhythmias, heart attack, and stroke. In addition, patients often suffer from constant daytime fatigue, poor concentration, and reduced quality of life. Early treatment – whether conservative or surgical – is therefore essential for long-term health and well-being.
What is sleep apnea surgery?
Sleep apnea surgery permanently widens the airways, reducing or eliminating breathing pauses. This can result in lasting improvement or even full resolution of the condition, preventing its health consequences. Many patients also stop or significantly reduce snoring after surgery, improving both their own sleep quality and that of their partners or family members.
Depending on the individual cause, surgery may involve removing tissue from the mouth and throat (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty), repositioning the jaw (rotation advancement surgery), or implanting a hypoglossal nerve stimulator that keeps the airway open during sleep.
A key advantage of surgical treatment is its lasting effect: while CPAP devices or mandibular devices only work with consistent use, surgery requires just one intervention to achieve permanent results. In most cases, you will no longer need a mask or oral device afterward, as your airways remain clear naturally. This makes surgery particularly suitable for patients who find it difficult difficulty tolerating foreign objects while sleeping.
Procedure for sleep apnea surgery
Your surgery in Switzerland is carried out by our specialized partner clinics and always planned individually on the basis of comprehensive diagnostics. We begin with an examination in the sleep laboratory and imaging studies to confirm the diagnosis and determine the best treatment option.
Depending on the surgical method, the procedure lasts between two and five hours and is performed under general anesthesia. The jaw, soft palate, or tongue base are carefully adjusted to keep the airway permanently open and optimize oxygen supply during sleep. In some cases, both the upper and lower jaws are surgically advanced, significantly enlarging the airway and resolving moderate to severe sleep apnea.
After surgery, you will usually stay in the clinic for a few days so that healing can be monitored closely. Soon after, most patients are able to speak again, eat light food – and most importantly: finally experience restorative sleep.
Sleep apnea surgery in Zurich
Surgery for sleep apnea is a safe, straightforward procedure with high success rates. It not only reduces or eliminates sleep apnea and its health risks but also allows patients to sleep more deeply and wake up feeling refreshed. Many report feeling more alert, energetic, and active during the day, enjoying a renewed quality of life shortly after recovery.
Do you suffer from disruptive snoring or nighttime breathing pauses? A precise sleep apnea diagnosis in Switzerland is the first step toward a safe, effective, and lasting solution. Book your consultation now – for the sake of your health and your well-deserved quality of life.
Team of Experts
PD Dr. med. Marie-An Carstensen De Letter
Specialist in Neurology FMH / Neurophysiology / Sleep Medicine
Besire Morina
COO Sleep lab
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