Common Treatments For Sleep Apnea

Tracheostomy

If the patient’s sleep apnea symptoms are severe and may cause life-threatening complications, they may have to undergo a tracheostomy, especially when other treatments have not been effective. This surgery creates a new airway for the patient to breathe through. During the procedure, the surgeon will insert a tube made of metal or plastic into an opening in the patient’s neck. This keeps the incision open and the tube lets the patient breathe. The tube will be covered during the day, but is left open at night so the patient can bypass their throat blockage when they breathe in and out.