ABSTRACT
Injection snoreplasty is a short procedure performed in the office with the patient seated in the examination chair. The supplies required are simple and inexpensive. Topical anesthesia is first administered with Benzocaine oral spray (14%, Betylite Inc, Pennsauken, NJ) followed by a mint flavored benzocaine gel ‘‘lollipop’’ (200mg/gm gel; Henry Schein, Port Washington, NY) applied on the end of a tongue depressor. The gel is held against the soft palate for approximately 5min. Injected local anesthetic is not used since it would likely decrease the effect of the sclerosing agent by dilution and cause it to leak from the soft palate. The physician then injects up to 2.0mL of the selected sclerotherapy agent with a single-needle penetration into the midline soft palate within the submucosal plane, just above the uvula (Fig. 1). This is done with a 0.75 in., 27-gauge needle bent to a 30-45 angle.
