Sleep Apnea Surgery in Singapore: Comprehensive Guide
Tired of struggling with CPAP every night? Dreaming of equipment-free sleep? Surgery isn't for everyone—but for the right candidates, it can provide lasting relief from obstructive sleep apnea. From minimally invasive procedures to advanced implants, explore all your surgical options and find out if you're a candidate.
When Should You Consider Surgery?
Surgery isn't for everyone—but it can be life-changing for the right candidates.
- ✓CPAP intolerance or non-compliance despite multiple attempts
- ✓Identifiable anatomical obstructions (enlarged tonsils, deviated septum, tongue base collapse)
- ✓Moderate to severe OSA (AHI >15)
- ✓Good overall health for surgery
- ✓Preference for permanent solution
- •Mild OSA (AHI <15) — CPAP usually sufficient
- •Morbid obesity without addressing weight (poor surgical outcomes)
- •Central sleep apnea (different condition requiring different treatment)
- •Unrealistic expectations about outcomes
- •Significant medical comorbidities that increase surgical risk
Types of Sleep Apnea Surgery Available in Singapore
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
Most common sleep apnea surgery
What It Is
Removes excess tissue from the soft palate, uvula, and sometimes tonsils to widen the airway at the back of the throat.
Who It's For
Patients with soft palate/uvula obstruction identified during sleep endoscopy.
Inspire Therapy (Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation)
Latest advancement in sleep apnea treatment
What It Is
Implantable device (similar to a pacemaker) that stimulates the hypoglossal nerve to keep the tongue from blocking the airway during sleep. Activated via remote control.
Who It's For
- • Moderate-severe OSA (AHI 15-65)
- • CPAP-intolerant patients
- • BMI <32
- • No complete concentric collapse on sleep endoscopy
Note: Inspire therapy is available at select centers in Singapore (SGH, Mt Elizabeth). High patient satisfaction due to minimal invasiveness and effectiveness.
Septoplasty & Turbinate Reduction
Correcting nasal obstructions
What It Is
Straightens deviated nasal septum and reduces enlarged turbinates to improve nasal airflow. Often combined with other procedures.
Who It's For
Patients with nasal blockages contributing to OSA or making CPAP difficult to tolerate.
Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA)
Most effective surgical option
What It Is
Surgical repositioning of the upper and lower jaw to permanently enlarge the airway. Requires oral-maxillofacial surgeon.
Who It's For
- • Severe OSA with jaw/skeletal abnormalities
- • Patients who failed other surgeries
- • Young, healthy patients willing to undergo major surgery
Note: MMA is the most invasive option but offers the highest cure rate. Requires significant recovery time and temporary dietary restrictions.
Surgery Comparison at a Glance
| Surgery Type | Success Rate | Recovery | Cost (SGD) | Invasiveness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPPP | 50-70% | 2-3 weeks | $7k-$10k | Moderate |
| Inspire (HGNS) | 75%+ | 1-2 weeks | $25k-$35k | Low |
| Septoplasty | 30-40% | 1-2 weeks | $4k-$7k | Low |
| Tongue Base Reduction | 40-60% | 1 week | $5k-$8k | Low |
| Tonsillectomy | 80%+ | 2 weeks | $5k-$8k | Moderate |
| MMA | 90%+ | 6-12 weeks | $30k-$50k | High |
What to Expect: Your Surgery Journey
- • Pre-operative assessment: Blood tests, ECG, chest X-ray (if needed)
- • Medication review: Stop blood thinners, aspirin, or herbal supplements as directed
- • Fasting instructions: No food/drink 6-8 hours before surgery
- • Arrange transport: You'll need someone to drive you home
- • Prepare recovery area: Stock soft foods, ice packs, pain meds
- • Arrival: Check-in 1-2 hours before scheduled time
- • Anesthesia: General anesthesia for most procedures (you'll be fully asleep)
- • Surgery duration: 1-3 hours depending on procedure
- • Recovery room: 1-2 hours post-surgery monitoring
- • Discharge: Same day or 1-2 night hospital stay
- • Pain management: Prescribed medications (opioids, NSAIDs, throat sprays)
- • Soft diet: Soups, smoothies, mashed potatoes, yogurt, ice cream
- • Rest: Sleep with head elevated; avoid strenuous activity
- • Hydration: Drink plenty of fluids (cold liquids soothe throat)
- • Follow-up: First post-op visit at 7-10 days to check healing
- • Work: Most patients take 1-2 weeks off (2-3 weeks for UPPP)
- • Pain: Significantly reduced; over-the-counter pain relief sufficient
- • Diet: Resume normal foods gradually (still avoid very spicy/crunchy)
- • Activity: Return to work (office jobs); light exercise (walking) permitted
- • Voice: Temporary changes usually resolve by this point
- • Sleep: May notice initial improvement in snoring/breathing
- • Swelling resolved: Internal tissues fully healed
- • Full activity: Resume all normal activities including exercise
- • Follow-up sleep study: Typically at 3 months to measure AHI improvement
- • Success evaluation: Target: AHI reduction >50% or AHI <20
- • Additional treatment: Determine if further intervention needed
- • Final results: Full surgical benefit realized
- • Lifestyle maintenance: Maintain healthy weight to preserve results
- • Annual check-ups: Monitor for symptom recurrence
- • Quality of life: Improved sleep, energy, cardiovascular health
Recovery Tips for Better Outcomes
- • Don't skip pain meds: Staying ahead of pain helps you rest and heal better
- • Use humidifier: Keeps throat moist and reduces discomfort
- • Avoid smoking/alcohol: Delays healing and increases complications
- • Sleep elevated: Reduces swelling and drainage
- • Gentle oral care: Rinse with saltwater; avoid vigorous brushing near surgical site
- • Call your surgeon if: Excessive bleeding, fever >38.5°C, difficulty breathing, severe pain uncontrolled by medication
Surgery Success Rates & Long-Term Outcomes
What "success" means and what you can realistically expect from surgery.
- • Surgical success: AHI reduction >50% AND final AHI <20
- • Cure: Final AHI <5 (normal)
- • Improvement: Significant AHI drop but still requires CPAP (at lower pressure)
- • Oxygen saturation during sleep (target: >90%)
- • Epworth Sleepiness Scale score reduction
- • Snoring reduction (partner-reported)
- • Quality of life improvement
- • Elimination of CPAP dependence
Based on multi-center studies of OSA surgery outcomes
Report significant improvement in daily functioning and wellbeing
Varies by procedure; highest with MMA, lowest with isolated soft tissue surgery
Success Rates by Procedure Type
Best for isolated soft palate collapse. Success higher when combined with tonsillectomy.
High patient satisfaction. 5-year data shows sustained benefits in most patients.
When enlarged tonsils are primary obstruction. Highly effective in appropriate candidates.
Alone: modest OSA improvement. Combined with other procedures: significant benefit. Greatly improves CPAP tolerance.
Highest cure rate. Gold standard for severe OSA with jaw abnormalities. Most invasive option.
Multi-level surgery (e.g., UPPP + septoplasty + tongue base reduction) higher success than single procedures.