For those who experience trouble breathing while sleeping, genioglossus advancement surgery (sometimes referred to simply as tongue surgery) can help create more room in the airway for proper breathing. Genioglossus is the name of one of the muscles of the tongue, the muscle that is worked on in this surgery. Read on to learn more about this surgery and how it can help.
Who May Need Genioglossus Advancement Surgery?
If you experience trouble breathing while sleeping, there could be a number of causes. For some, the base of the tongue falls back on the airway during sleep, resulting in greatly reduced space through which air can enter. Often this is due to a small lower jaw. This results in snoring and sometimes sleep apnea as well. Genioglossus advancement surgery can help by creating more space in the airway.
What Is Genioglossus Advancement Surgery Like?
The tongue is attached to a bone in the lower jaw. After making a small cut, this bone is brought forward and secured further on the lower jaw, thus bringing the base of the tongue forward as well. Genioglossus advancement surgery is done under general anesthesia in a hospital setting.
What Is the Recovery Time for Genioglossus Advancement Surgery?
There is usually a one or two day hospital stay after surgery to ensure recovery is going well and to adjust pain medication dosage as needed. Side effects may include swelling, light bleeding, and numbness in the lower front teeth, chin, and lower jaw at first due to nerves in the area being cut. Recovery from this procedure usually takes between one to two months, but a lot of improvement is often seen within the first week. For the first few days post-surgery, it’s important to sleep with the head elevated and avoid mouthwash and other things that can dry out the mouth. A liquid diet will be ordered for the first few days after surgery as well (your doctor will give you exact timing on everything). It’s also essential to stay hydrated during the first few weeks to aid in recovery, and ice chips in the mouth can be used to help with swelling.
How Do You Sleep after Tongue Surgery?
You should sleep upright for the first few days after surgery. A reclining position of roughly 45 degrees is best, as it allows you to relax without causing blood to rush to the area, which can make swelling and other issues worse.
If you are experiencing sleep apnea and wonder if genioglossus advancement surgery might work for you, give our office a call. Dr. Edmund Fisher is a board-certified ENT specialist who can diagnose your sleep apnea, determine the cause, and perform genioglossus advancement surgery if it’s determined that it will help.
