Successful surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea is based on the accurate identification of the pattern of airway obstruction and developing an effective treatment that provides the optimal tradeoff between benefits and risks.  Each patient requires an individualized evaluation and treatment plan, and there is no single treatment that works well for everyone.  The Division’s research has contributed substantially to innovations in evaluation and surgical techniques, comparing outcomes of different procedures, understanding when to select these procedures, and examining the risks of surgery.  

Surgical procedures aim to enlarge and stabilize the airway to eliminate the narrowing or collapse. There are three major areas at which airway blockage can occur: the nose, palate, and tongue regions. In an individual patient, often more than one of these areas are responsible and can be approached during the same or different surgical procedures. Our philosophy is to address these areas of airway obstruction in a tailored and targeted approach to achieve the best outcomes.   Preoperative evaluation represents a critical opportunity to plan and tailor surgical treatment to the individual’s pattern of airway blockage rather than performing the same procedure on all patients.  Because not all procedures offer the same benefits, our research examines benefits of specific procedures as we refine and develop new procedures.  

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea surgery is a relatively new and changing medical field, and we believe that our specialization, experience, and research allow us to advance the field and translate these findings to provide the highest quality of care to our patients.  The Division’s research is funded by the National Institutes of Health and private foundations, and we collaborate and are recognized nationally and internationally for these efforts.  We take pride in the responsibility and privilege of training other surgeons through courses and invited lectures in this country and around the world.  Finally, we also have the opportunity to work extensively with established and startup companies in the development and refinement of new technologies, with the goal of developing and delivering cutting-edge care.