Snoring Surgery in Adults (Surgery to help with snoring)

Not Routinely Funded

Snoring in the absence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in adults.

Surgical procedures on the soft palate for simple snoring in the absence of OSA in adults are low priority procedures and will not usually be funded by Norfolk and Waveney ICB.

Exclusions:

This policy does not apply to:

• children and young people (aged 18 and under)
• patients with features suggestive of a head and neck cancer

Patients complaining of simple snoring should be counselled without referral to secondary care. Advice should be given on the following where appropriate:

• Weight reduction if BMI is above 30kg/m2
• Smoking cessation, including offer of referral for smoking cessation support
• Reducing or stopping evening alcohol intake.
• Using ear plugs whilst asleep
• Self-training to alter their sleep position to avoid lying on back
• Obtaining a mandibular advancement device to be worn at night from their orthodontist
• The treatment of nasal congestion (rhinitis)

Cases for Individual Funding Consideration

On a case to case basis, patients might be eligible for surgical intervention, in consideration of their exceptionality. The requesting clinician must provide information to support the case for being considered an exception, by submitting an individual funding request.