CPAP doesn’t work for you? Inova doctor develops new sleep apnea treatment

Good News for Sleep Apnea Sufferers

For people with sleep apnea who can’t get the relief they need from continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines — devices to help open airways — or other treatments, there may be an answer.  Michael Abidin, MD, who specializes in ear, nose and throat disorders, has been developing a state-of-the-art version of the hyoid suspension procedure, a common sleep apnea operation. He has begun performing the treatment on sleep apnea patients within the past year.

“I developed and perform this procedure at Inova Alexandria Hospital,” says Dr. Abidin. “You can’t get better care [for sleep apnea] than here. It’s a cutting-edge, leading technology for a disease process that’s difficult to treat, and it’s available right here in our backyard.”

Dr. Abidin’s version of the hyoid procedure is an outpatient treatment that only takes one to one-and-a-half hours to perform. During the procedure, sutures that allow the doctor to adjust the position of the hyoid bone (located in the neck) are anchored to the bone. This adjustment helps doctors reduce the amount of tissue in the patient’s airway, eliminating sleep apnea. Dr. Abidin’s procedure is also unique in allowing re-adjustment of the sutures without additional surgery.

“Treating sleep apnea has a life-changing effect, and I’m pleased to be able to help people in this way,” says Dr. Abidin.

Rest Up, Northern Virginia

Learn more about sleep disorders and treatments at inova.org/sleep.