Surgery Not Quick Fix for Sleep Apnea

Australian researchers advise against surgery as the first treatment for sleep apnea — as is often done today.

In a study published in the British Medical Journal, the researchers suggest sticking to first treatment guidelines — using continuous positive airway pressure to keep airways mechanically open during sleep, and appropriate weight and alcohol management — to treat sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a disorder marked by symptoms like loud snoring and temporarily stopped breathing and linked to several health risks.

Dr. Adam Elshaug and researchers at the University of Adelaide analyzed seven randomized trials and found surgery had a general lack of impact on symptoms and — even where improvements in quality of life have been shown immediately after surgery — these were rarely sustained beyond 12 to 24 months.

Another review of 48 studies found that up to 62 percent of patients who had surgery reported persistent adverse effects, such as dry throat, difficulty in swallowing, voice changes and disturbances of smell and taste. Up to 22 percent regretted having surgery, the study says.