History of Snore-op

About 1997, a new technology was introduced to New Zealand by the ENT Specialist, Mr Jim Bartley. He had trialled the process of Radio-frequency Tissue Volume Reduction (RFTVR) with the "Somnoplasty" method, and wrote an article in the "New Zealand Doctor" magazine. Mr Bartley predicted that RFTVR would become the preferred treatment for snoring disturbance.

When I rang Mr Bartley about this "office procedure", he most kindly offered to come and show us how to do it. The early results were dramatic for most, and we used the "Somnus" version for about a year until "Ellman Surgitron" produced a much cheaper version. We more recently trialled the newest version, "Coblation", out of Sweden.

The "Snore-Op" product

We have done our research and development with the Ellman product, and have modified the technique considerably resulting in less pain and inflammation, more effective treatments, and less client discomfort during the procedure. Since we presented our paper (read brief version) and presented it to the ASSOHNS ENT Conference in Perth in March 2002, Ellman have been recommending our method of treatment. We have made quite a few changes since then, and have taught our version, trade-marked "Snore-Op" throughout New Zealand and Fiji. We have run courses in the techniques, which ENT and Oral Surgeons specialists have attended.  Clients have come from all round New Zealand and Australia, the Pacific Islands, two from Italy, several from USA.  Also from Brunei with connections to the Sultan, and elsewhere.  We have also done a large number of Indians, Koreans, and Japanese who live in NZ.  Dr Andrew Murley and I have done over 3,000 procedures (as at 2010).

We welcome enquiries from doctors who want to learn more about becoming a "Snore-Op" trained doctor. Contact us now.

Dr Neil Hutchison's Personal Success with "Snore-Op"

"My personal interest in stopping snoring peaked some years ago whilst tramping. My snoring emptied a tramping hut of 8 German hikers one night! They were a jovial bunch the evening before, speaking English, and laughing a lot. In the morning, I found the sleeping quarters were empty, and at breakfast, they were all speaking German, and staring at me! They had lost their joviality completely!"

"My snoring reduced from a Snoring Score of 10/10 to 0/10. My Epworth Sleepiness Score went from a tired 17/24 to 3/24! This has meant that I could stop my CPAP machine and throw away my mouthguard. I have no fond memories of either! My response to treatment has proven to be similar to the results achieved by the majority of "Snore-Op" patients".

These results were achieved with two procedures..."My results were achieved with two procedures 8 weeks apart, and lasted 4.5 years. By then the snoring had returned to a level of 5/10, so I had one further treatment. My snoring reduced back to 0/10, and now, 5.5 years after the top-up procedure, I waken my wife about once every six weeks!  This is life changing, and prevents "wife changing"!   We had our 41st wedding anniversary in 2010!"