Treatments:
Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy
Many patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) seek alternative therapies other than positive airway pressure (CPAP) to treat their condition, including surgical treatments and oral appliance therapy. In these individuals, accurate evaluation of the upper airway anatomy and pattern of airway collapse during sleep is essential to selecting the best surgical procedure to optimize treatment results.
It is difficult to accurately assess the dynamics and anatomy of a person’s airway while they are awake. Fortunately, Dr. Phillips commonly offers a very short, painless diagnostic procedure called drug-induced sleep endoscopy, or sedated endoscopy, in patients interested in surgery or, in some cases, oral appliance therapy. This simple diagnostic procedure has been studied by physicians over the past 25 years, and has revolutionized treatment of sleep apnea and snoring.
What to Expect During Sleep Endoscopy
Sleep apnea endoscopy is performed in an outpatient surgery center, and takes about 10 minutes. While laying flat on a bed, a single sleep endoscopy anesthetic is slowly administered by an anesthesiologist, until the patient begins to entire a light sleep, and snoring is observed. At this point, a very small flexible telescope is placed into the nose and used to examine both the nose, palate, tongue and throat. There are no incisions made. After the patient awakens about 8-10 minutes later, a video of the procedure is recorded and analyzed carefully by Dr. Phillips prior to follow-up in clinic.
Dr. Phillips will review the sleep endoscopy video with the patient at follow-up in clinic, and use this information to demonstrate and discuss several options for personalized treatment of sleep apnea and snoring.
Dr. Jeffrey Phillips | Accent Sleep Solutions | 4340 West Newberry Road, Suite 301 | Gainesville, FL 32607 | (352) 271-5375
