How effective is CPAP as compared to surgery for snoring?

Doctor's Answers 1

Hello,

Thanks for the D2D. This is very discerning of you. Yes. There are a lot of scientific evidence that CPAP is not useful in a real life setting.

CPAP is only effective as long as you keep the mask on your face. There are many issues and problems with CPAP, like compliance , mask air leak, inadequate pressures, or even too high pressures.

  1. Scientific studies show that CPAP may not be as efficacious as surgery. Weaver et al (2004) compared 18,000 CPAP users and 2,000 OSA patients who had surgery done and followed up for 6 years. They found that CPAP users had died faster than those OSA patients who had surgery. Implication: OSA patients who had surgery lived longer.

  2. Recent study from Adelaide (2016) published in the New England Journal of Medicine, compared 1300 OSA patients on CPAP and 1300 OSA patients who had no treatment. They found that after 8 years both groups with or without CPAP treatment had the same incidence of strokes, heart attacks or heart failure. Implication: CPAP treatment was as good as no treatment.

  3. Most recent study from Korea (published in Sleep Medicine journal, 2018) compared 22,000 OSA patients who had surgery and 170,000 patients who were not treated. After 7 years, they found that the 22,000 OSA patients who had surgery survived longer and had less heart failure than the 170,000 patients who were not treated. Implication: OSA patients who had surgery had less risk of cardiovascular complications.

Similar Questions

How does one differentiate normal snoring from sleep apnea?

Thanks for the D2D. Snoring is not just noise. Not all who snore have sleep apnea, but snoring is a sign that you may have sleep apnea. In Singapore, a recent study found that 90% of those with already moderate to severe sleep apnea did not know that they had sleep apnea! Sleep apnea happens when there is a block in the airway that results in significant oxygen desaturation in the blood. To differentiate snoring from sleep apnea, a definitive sleep study is needed.

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Human

Can surgery cure snoring?

Thanks for the D2D. Yes. Snoring is due to an anatomical floppiness of the soft tissue and vibration in the upper airway. Studies have shown that most snoring originates from the vibration of the soft palate, other areas include the side walls of the mouth, the tongue base and / or epiglottis. Snoring can be aggravated by a blocked nose, as this results in mouth breathing and mouth breathing worsens snoring. You would need a sleep specialist to examine your upper airway with a flexible Nasoendoscope.

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Dr Kenny Pang

ENT Doctor

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