Septoplasty and Radiofrequency turbinate reduction -- sleep apnea

[david_je]

An ENT specialist at Chula hospital recommended I do these to unblock breathing. I had a polysomnography that  revealed sleep apnea, and the doc believes that is due to disordered breathing from my deviated septum and enlarged turbinates. And the sleep apnea may be causing the AFib that I experience only at nights. Anyone been in this situation?

I have read the previous threads on this forum about septoplasty, etc. But I am wary of surgeries, and still would appreciate guidance from anyone with recent experience whether these surgeries are really needed and how to select the best surgeon, aside from reading his/her qualifications on the websites.

Did anyone recently have these surgeries with good results, or bad results? Has anyone had it done at Chula? The ENT specialist there said septoplasty is done in-patient, but I've also read that it can be done outpatient and under local anaesthesia -- is that preferable? Was anyone recommended to do both these surgeries but only did the turbinates -- I'm thinking about that since that one is less complicated and invasive.

Thank you.

[Sheryl]

No personal experience, but I can tell you that studies have shown septoplasty and turbinate reduction to be effective in reducing obstructive sleep apnea and the two procedures are usually done together. Spetoplasty alone is not as effective. I haven't seen any rstudy results on  turbinate reduction alone. 

 

And sleep apnea certainly can cause AF.

 

In terms of doctors, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prakobkiat Hirunwiwatkul is very well qualified.  He can be seen bot hat Chula and at Theptarin Hospital. CV here  http://ent.md.chula.ac.th/en/บุคลากร/นายแพทย์ประกอบเกียรติ-ห/

He has published in peer reviewed scientific journals. Did a fellowship at Stanford in the US which is a very comptetitve fellowship to obtain.  You should be in excellent hands with him.

 

It is very common in Thailand to keep patients overnight for procedures that are day surgeries in the west. Hospital room charges are low here so it makes little difference in overall cost to have soemoen spend the night. But if for other reasons you feel strongly about it you could ask about going home in the evening.

 

 

[david_je]

On 1/7/2019 at 1:18 PM, Sheryl said:

No personal experience, but I can tell you that studies have shown septoplasty and turbinate reduction to be effective in reducing obstructive sleep apnea and the two procedures are usually done together. Spetoplasty alone is not as effective. I haven't seen any rstudy results on  turbinate reduction alone. 

 

And sleep apnea certainly can cause AF.

 

In terms of doctors, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prakobkiat Hirunwiwatkul is very well qualified.  He can be seen bot hat Chula and at Theptarin Hospital. CV here  http://ent.md.chula.ac.th/en/บุคลากร/นายแพทย์ประกอบเกียรติ-ห/

He has published in peer reviewed scientific journals. Did a fellowship at Stanford in the US which is a very comptetitve fellowship to obtain.  You should be in excellent hands with him.

 

It is very common in Thailand to keep patients overnight for procedures that are day surgeries in the west. Hospital room charges are low here so it makes little difference in overall cost to have soemoen spend the night. But if for other reasons you feel strongly about it you could ask about going home in the evening.

 

 

Thank you for very helpful response, Sheryl. Do you think I should get a second opinion, from another doctor, as to whether the surgery is needed, or is this really not much to worry about and I don't need the extra expense and hassle or another opinion? Have you heard of any members actually getting such surgery at Chula?