Injection Snoreplasty

The Latest Treatment for Snoring!

   SIMPLE

   INEXPENSIVE

   WELL TOLERATED

   OFFICE PROCEDURE

   MINIMAL DISCOMFORT

   NO DIETARY CHANGES

To determine if you would benefit from this latest snoring treatment, contact the office for an evaluation appointment with Dr. Gatti.

Patient Information

A proven office procedure for snoring, relatively painless and less expensive than previous procedures, was first described at the Annual Meeting of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery held in Washington, D.C. from September 24, 2000 through September 27, 2000 and attended by Dr. Gatti.

Injection snoreplasty is a simple method of controlling snoring that is safe, inexpensive, and relatively pain free. Initial clinical experience by Dr. Scott E. Brietzke and Dr. Eric A. Mair at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. involving 27 patients reported a 92% success rate in snoring control. Their peer reviewed article appeared in the May 2001 issue of a leading otolaryngology journal. The mechanism of snore reduction was described by using an injectable sclerosing agent to promote scar tissue at the palate, stiffening it and diminishing the "flutter" noise of snoring.

Careful evaluation and selection of patients who would potentially benefit is very important to achieve maximum success with this procedure. The primary source of snoring may not always be palatal. Palate snoring contribution is variable and in some cases, only 20, 30, or 40% of the sound has its origin at the palate. Injection snoreplasty in these cases may not have the desired maximum effect. SNAP home sleep testing dispensed from the office determines the percentage of palatal sound which contributes to the snoring and, therefore, objectively predicts which patients would most likely benefit from injection snoreplasty. 

The very long-term success of injection snoreplasty in achieving lasting snore control is not currently known. It is possible that additional future palatal injections may be necessary to control reemerging snoring. Finally, this procedure is not recommended as a cure for sleep apnea and its effect on sleep apnea is not known.

Initial Evaluation Visit

A complete ENT exam including fiberoptic office evaluation by Dr. Gatti of the upper airway is an important first step in deciding whether the procedure is right for you. Sleep-disordered breathing may have a variety of causes. It is also very necessary to determine if a sleep apnea condition exists by means of the initial ENT evaluation. You will be given a sleep questionnaire to complete. Dr. Gatti may suggest a SNAP^™ home sleep study, which not only detects sleep apnea but helps to locate the site of the snoring so that an unnecessary procedure will be avoided. The SNAP^™ testing also measures snore intensity and helps locate the site of snoring. No other sleep test can perform this dual function. Therefore, objective evidence and accurate localization of the snoring can be discussed with you prior to Injection Snoreplasty treatment. No studies have yet been done to determine if Injection Snoreplasty is beneficial in the treatment of sleep apnea conditions. 

Consent Form

A detailed consent form will be required to be signed prior to this procedure. Please read over it carefully. Certain medical conditions are currently considered to be contraindications in the application of this sclerosing injectable solution. The solution has been used intraorally for over 50 years and has an excellent safety record.

Evaluation and Cost of this Treatment

   An initial comprehensive ENT evaluation with a fiberoptic examination of the nose and throat is necessary for your sleep disorder problem. This is covered by insurance.

   SNAP^™ testing for snoring localization and sleep apnea detection may be considered. Most insurance companies will cover this.

   Injection Snoreplasty cost is $600.00 for each treatment. Insurance may or may not cover this treatment. We request payment for the Injection Snoreplasty treatment on the same day of the procedure. With your permission, we will assist you in billing your medical insurance company and following through on the insurance claim. The Injection Snoreplasty procedure is useful in the treatment of snoring. Studies have not yet been done to determine whether the injection technique will have any beneficial effect on sleep apnea.

   There are no office charges during the ninety days after each injection treatment. Thereafter, there is a usual "established patient" follow-up office visit fee.

Procedures and Expectations

The procedure is done in the office. Allow 30 minutes. Dr. Gatti will use a topical anesthesia to numb the back of the throat. A small amount of sclerosing fluid is injected just under the surface lining of the palate at the base of the uvula. There will be a minor sore throat at the roof of the mouth at the site of injection. Some patients may take longer than others to feel relief from this injection. Swallowing should not be a problem, and there are no voice or dietary changes. The palate and/or uvula will feel swollen for a while. Pain medications will be ordered after the procedure if necessary. Patients may return to work or home the same day. 

Snoring improvement is not noticeable immediately because it takes time for the palate tissue to scar and contract, thereby reducing the vibration causing the sound. A repeat, cost-free SNAP^™ test may be recommended in the follow-up period to measure the amount of snoring improvement after Injection Snoreplasty.

E.N.T. Consultants of Lake County, Ltd.
William M. Gatti, M.D.
755 S. Milwaukee Avenue, Suite #181
Libertyville, IL  60048
(847) 816-1228

Disclaimer: Dr. Gatti is a medical advisor to SNAP Labs. He is fully aware of other diagnostic testing to detect sleep apnea/snoring; that there are no other diagnostic tools yet available which can duplicate the accuracy of the SNAP test in its unique ability to analyze snoring patterns including their magnitude and vibrations along with palatal localization as well as detecting the frequency, duration, and degree of sleep apnea.