Bottom of Mouth Ablation -New Surgical Procedure - Sleep Disorders Message Board

LpLittleA · 11-19-2000, 09:00 PM

Tomorrow I will be seeing an Ear/Nose/Throat doctor who is doing a new, experimental procedure for treating obstructive sleep apnea. He sticks a needle into the floor of my mouth (below the tongue) and heats it until the surrounding tissue "shrinks". This clears the obstruction. Right now, if I tried to make my chin touch my chest while my mouth is closed, I can not breathe at all.
I was to claustrophobic for CPAP or BiPAP. The PM positioner worked extremely well, but because it keeps the airway open, it is impossible to cough if you get a tickle in your throat. I do not want to get a uvalectomy (have that thing that hangs down from the back of your mouth cut off) because my dentist says if I ever sneeze or cough while eating, the food would spray out my nose.
Has anyone done this experimental procedure, I think it's called floor of the mouth ablation?

korken · 11-21-2000, 05:37 AM

My husband and I looked in to both we were told that the hot needle would have to be repeated several times and doen't cure. The surgury would get it over with. We asked many paitents and went with the traditional. Hurt like all get out but, the liquid meds. help. The weight loss was happily lost. The sneeze part never had that happen not, even when he vomits. I post at the fms board. Take care and good luck, Kim