Airway obstruction in the tongue region is common, affecting approximately 60% of patients with sleep apnea and many with snoring. While patients are awake, the muscles that surround the throat are active and keep this region open for breathing. These muscles relax during sleep, allowing the tongue and other structures to collapse and block breathing.  Dr. Kezirian’s research has shown that careful patient evaluation can identify patients with tongue region obstruction. More importantly, it is possible to determine who is more or less likely to benefit from specific treatments, including Tongue Region Procedures.

Expert in Tongue Region Surgery for Sleep Apnea

Dr. Kezirian is recognized as an expert in the evaluation and treatment of tongue region obstruction, giving lectures and training visiting surgeons from the United States and around the world. These procedures have improved outcomes in patients with tongue region obstruction, but they are relatively new, technically more difficult, and associated with a higher risk of complications. Dr. Kezirian’s research has shown that these procedures are not performed by many surgeons, who often were not trained in these techniques. He has described this research in more detail on a blog entry.

 

 

The following video presents a discussion of Tongue Region procedures:

To learn more about specific tongue region procedures, please continue to:

• Epiglottis Surgery
• Genioglossus Advancement
• Hyoid Suspension
• Lingual Tonsillectomy
• Midline Glossectomy
• Tongue Radiofrequency