Can Septoplasty Cause Sleep Apnea?

Question

I believe it is from scarring. The surgery was 9 months ago. I never and repeat never had sleep apnea and I am not overweight and rather thin and in excellent physical shape. The roof of my mouth and my septum now vibrate when I sleep. What can I do?

Oakley Smith, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Certainly its possible, although very uncommon. In fact Septoplasty can improve snoring is a small percentage of sufferers. You would have to also have developed poorer nasal breathing as a result of the Septoplasty. If its due to scarring as you believe, then this can easily be confirmed by examination. You need a sleep study to document you snore and determine if you also have sleep apnea.

Amir M. Karam, MD · Answer

Sleep Apnea is not the same as snoring. Sleep apnea is a true disturbance in breathing while you are asleep. These gaps in breathing have to last a certain amount of time and have to occur a certain number of times each minute to qualify for the diagnosis. It requires a sleep lab study or something equivalent. It is unusual for the source of the airway obstruction to be at the level of the nose. It is usually further down the airway. Therefore, it is unlikely that a septoplasty would cause apnea. I would suggest getting a sleep study to determine if in fact you do have apnea.

Jose Barrera, MD · Answer

Septoplasty cannot cure sleep apnea or make moderate to severe sleep apnea worse. Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic disease causing excessive daytime sleepiness, hypertension, and placing patients at risk for cardiovascular disorders. The primary treatment is CPAP. Septoplasty can help to reduce PAP pressures. There are a number of surgeries that can help with OSA.

Christopher J. Peers, MD · Answer

Septoplasty is designed to improve the nasal airway. It is not particularly a cosmetic procedure. Having said that, any surgery in the body can produce small scars as you mention. A tiny scar or adhesion between the septum and the side wall of your nose could be the culprit. This could likely be easily remedied in the office in a few minutes.

	I would suggest checking with your surgeon, and if needed, getting a second opinion.

D.J. Verret, MD · Answer

What you are describing sounds like snoring. While this can be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, you can snore without having obstructive sleep apnea. While it is possible that you have nasal airway obstruction or snoring caused by problems after a septoplasty, it is also possible that you have better airflow through your nose which now produces vibration of the soft palate - which didn't happen before because you weren't breathing through your nose at night. In any instance, I would suggest visiting with an ENT surgeon and considering a sleep study. There are many treatments for both snoring and OSA depending on the level of obstruction and the severity of the OSA.

Can Septoplasty Cause Sleep Apnea?

Answers (9)

Answer: Check back with your nose surgeon- it may be easy to solve

Answer: Check back with your nose surgeon- it may be easy to solve

Answer: Snoring and Sleep Apnea are Different

Answer: Snoring and Sleep Apnea are Different

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Everything you need to know about Septoplasty

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Can Septoplasty Cause Sleep Apnea?

Answers (9)

Answer: Check back with your nose surgeon- it may be easy to solve

Answer: Check back with your nose surgeon- it may be easy to solve

Answer: Snoring and Sleep Apnea are Different

Answer: Snoring and Sleep Apnea are Different

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Septoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.