Get Your Breath Back with Sleep Apnea Surgery
Your Sleep Apnea Center of Excellence in Zurich
Nighttime breathing pauses, poor sleep, and persistent daytime sleepiness: sleep apnea takes a significant toll on many of those affected. When patients cannot tolerate the usual conservative treatments, such as a mandibular advancement splint or a CPAP mask, many feel desperate. In these cases, surgery can be a permanent treatment option and cure patients of sleep apnea.
Here you can learn about the different types of procedures available, the benefits and limitations of surgical treatments—and whether surgery might be an option for you.
What many people affected describe
Many patients are desperate. The mandibular advancement splint does not provide sufficient relief, and they simply cannot tolerate the CPAP mask. Very often, patients feel let down. They’re told that these are the only options, since many are unaware of the possibility of permanent surgical treatment for sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a very serious condition. If left untreated, it increases the risk of complications such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or depression. In addition to the physical strain it places on the body, it also severely impairs quality of life. During the day, patients struggle with fatigue, their ability to concentrate declines, and family members worry about audible pauses in breathing at night.
This makes it all the more important to make a comprehensive, individualized, and well-informed treatment decision that goes beyond treatment with a mandibular advancement splint and a CPAP mask.
Our Expertise
“Sleep apnea surgery can make sense when anatomical narrowings are the cause of the breathing pauses and conservative therapies do not work sufficiently. The goal of the procedure is to widen the airways permanently and thereby treat the condition at its root, not merely control symptoms.”
PD Dr. Dr. med. Martin Lanzer
As a center of excellence for sleep apnea in Zurich, we collaborate with our experienced partner, SailerClinic, which specializes in these procedures. The benefits and limitations of surgical procedures are evaluated based on objective diagnostic data, realistic goals, and a thorough assessment by specialized professionals.
Here's how we'll proceed together
1. Assessment of Your Current Situation
Our 2-minute self-test will give you an initial assessment of whether you are in a high-risk group for sleep apnea.
2. Personal Consultation
Patients interested in surgery to permanently cure sleep apnea should bring a current sleep lab report or undergo an evaluation at our sleep medicine partner, the Schlaflabor Zürich. During a personal consultation, our partner will work with you to determine exactly where your airways are narrowed and whether surgery is appropriate in your case. This assessment takes into account your sleep lab results, anatomical characteristics, any potential comorbidities, and your personal preferences.
3. Treatment and Follow-up Care
If surgery is the appropriate treatment, the procedure is performed at a specialized center, the SailerClinic. Follow-up visits and thorough patient education are key components of successful treatment.
What You Should Know About Surgical Treatment for Sleep Apnea
When is surgery for sleep apnea an option?
Surgery for sleep apnea is generally considered when anatomical changes in the nose, throat, or jaw narrow the airways and other treatments are not sufficiently effective, or if you wish to avoid the lifelong use of assistive devices. Anatomical changes that contribute to sleep apnea include severely enlarged tonsils, a pronounced deviated nasal septum, a very narrow upper jaw, an enlarged tongue, or a receded lower jaw. A prerequisite for surgery to treat snoring is always a confirmed diagnosis from a sleep laboratory (e.g., at our sleep medicine partner, the Schlaflabor Zürich) as well as precise localization of the narrowing by medical specialists.
What types of sleep apnea procedures are available?
Depending on the cause, treatments for sleep apnea range from soft-tissue surgery in the throat to rhinoplasty and orthognathic surgery. Common options include the removal of enlarged tonsils, procedures on the turbinates and the nasal septum, or surgical advancement of the jaw. The revolutionary “bimaxillary rotational advancement” method is also an option; by repositioning the upper and lower jaws, it moves the tongue, soft palate, and palatal arches forward, thereby permanently widening the airways.
What are the benefits and limitations of sleep apnea surgery to treat snoring?
Surgery for snoring or breathing pauses aims to permanently eliminate the anatomical cause of sleep apnea. Unlike CPAP machines or dental splints, which are effective only while in use, surgery can provide long-term improvements and even a cure.
A scientific analysis by Zaghi et al. (JAMA Otolaryngology, 2016) shows that, in appropriately selected patients, the severity of obstructive sleep apnea can improve significantly following maxillomandibular advancement surgery (MMA). The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was reduced by an average of 80–90%. In addition, other parameters—such as oxygenation during sleep and daytime sleepiness—improved in many cases. A subsequent review by Li et al. (Orthod Fr, 2022; “A 25-year perspective”) confirms that surgical treatments are effective when appropriately indicated; however, the results always depend on the individual’s baseline condition and a thorough evaluation.
The benefits and limitations of surgical procedures for treating sleep apnea must be evaluated based on objective diagnostic data, realistic goals, and a thorough evaluation by specialized professionals. Based on your data, we can decide together whether surgery (and, if so, which procedure) will be successful in your case.
How much does sleep apnea surgery cost?
The cost of sleep apnea surgery or surgery to treat snoring varies depending on the procedure, the clinic, and the medical necessity. Factors that influence the cost include the extent of the surgery, the hospital stay, follow-up care, and additional diagnostic tests. Whether your health insurance covers these services depends on whether there is a medical indication and what your insurance coverage entails.
Are there any before-and-after results from sleep apnea surgeries?
Sleep apnea surgeries are always followed up, and the success of the treatment is confirmed through follow-up evaluations. During these evaluations, objective metrics such as the apnea-hypopnea index are assessed. The surgery is successful in more than 90% of cases. There are also testimonials from former patients who describe subjective improvements, such as reduced snoring or increased energy levels during the day.
What experiences do patients report after sleep apnea surgery?
In accounts of sleep apnea surgery, patients often describe a reduction in snoring and improved sleep quality, but they also emphasize the importance of having realistic expectations. Depending on the procedure, recovery periods may involve swelling or sensory disturbances, which is why follow-up visits and thorough patient education are key components of successful treatment.
Is sleep apnea surgery available in Switzerland?
Sleep apnea surgeries are performed only at specialized centers, including one in Zurich. There, we work with our experienced partner, the SailerClinic Zurich, which specializes in these procedures.
Surgical Treatment Compared to Other Forms of Sleep Apnea Treatment
Surgery for sleep apnea aims to permanently eliminate the anatomical cause. Unlike CPAP machines or dental splints, which are effective only while in use, surgery can provide long-term improvements and, in appropriate cases, a cure. However, this requires that the anatomical cause has been clearly identified and that surgery is medically indicated.
Conservative treatments such as CPAP therapy or anti-snoring mouthpieces are noninvasive and effective—but they must be used consistently and over the long term.
The most appropriate treatment option for you depends on the severity of your sleep apnea, your anatomical characteristics, any underlying medical conditions, and your personal preferences.
Individualized treatment decisions based on expertise in sleep medicine
Precisely because choosing the right treatment is such a personalized process, we are happy to guide you along the way. Our partner, the Schlaflabor Zürich, not only analyzes your sleep lab results but also takes into account your symptoms, lifestyle, and previous treatment experiences.
Based on this information, we can decide together whether surgery, CPAP therapy, or another form of treatment is the best solution for your situation.
Together, we’ll help you break free from the cycle of sleep apnea.
What Changes When Sleep Apnea Is Treated
After a successful surgery, many patients report significantly better sleep quality, more energy in their daily lives, and a noticeable sense of relief—both for themselves and for their loved ones.
The goal of treatment is not only to reduce breathing pauses, but also to permanently cure sleep apnea, thereby improving quality of life in the long term and reducing the risk of serious complications.