Which surgical procedure is commonly performed to treat sleep apnea by removing the tonsils and adenoids?

The procedure commonly performed to treat sleep apnea by removing the tonsils and adenoids is known as adentonsillectomy. This surgical intervention is particularly effective in children who have enlarged tonsils and adenoids, as these can obstruct the airway during sleep and lead to apnea. By removing these tissues, adentonsillectomy can help alleviate the blockages that cause breathing disturbances in sleep apnea patients.

Other surgical procedures, while they may be related to the treatment of sleep apnea, do not specifically focus on the removal of tonsils and adenoids. For instance, somnoplasty involves the use of radiofrequency energy to shrink tissues in the throat, which is a different approach. Nasal surgery may address structural issues in the nasal passages but does not typically involve the tonsils or adenoids. Hypoglossal nerve stimulation is a technique that involves implanting a device to stimulate the nerve controlling the tongue, helping to prevent airway collapse during sleep, rather than removing obstructive tissue. Therefore, adentonsillectomy is the most direct and relevant procedure related to the removal of tonsils and adenoids to treat sleep apnea.