Robotic Snoring & Sleep Apnea Surgery in Turkey
Precision treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and chronic snoring using the da Vinci® robotic system — no neck incisions, faster recovery, and a tongue-base approach most UK clinics cannot offer.
Free, no-obligation review of your sleep study or symptoms · Reply within 24 hours
Dr. Mehmet Akdağ
ENT Surgeon · Snoring & Sleep Apnoea
In short: what is robotic snoring & sleep apnoea surgery?
Robotic snoring and sleep apnoea surgery uses the da Vinci® surgical system to remove or reduce the tissue at the base of the tongue, tonsils and soft palate that collapses and blocks the airway during sleep. Because it is performed entirely through the mouth (transoral robotic surgery, or TORS), there are no external neck incisions. The robot gives the surgeon a magnified 3D view and wristed, tremor-free instruments to reach areas that are very difficult to treat with traditional or laser techniques.
- Best suited to moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea driven by tongue-base collapse, and to heavy snorers who cannot tolerate CPAP.
- Typically a day-case or single-night stay; most patients return to light activity within 1–2 weeks.
- At NewMe Health Clinic in Antalya, the procedure is led by ENT surgeon Dr. Mehmet Akdağ — with international patients saving up to 60–70% versus comparable UK private fees.
Why a robotic approach beats traditional snoring surgery
Most UK snoring procedures (laser palatoplasty, LAUP, UPPP) only treat the soft palate. The robot lets us also reach the tongue base — the most common hidden cause of sleep apnoea.
| Feature | da Vinci Robotic (TORS) | Traditional / Laser surgery |
|---|---|---|
| External incisions | None — fully transoral | Often required for tongue-base access |
| Tongue-base reach | Excellent — magnified 3D view | Limited / often not possible |
| Precision | Wristed, tremor-free instruments | Surgeon hand-held instruments |
| Treats OSA cause | Multi-level: palate + tonsils + tongue base | Usually palate / snoring only |
| Typical recovery | Light activity in 1–2 weeks | Varies; multiple laser sessions common |
Comparison is general and educational. Suitability and outcomes depend on individual airway anatomy and sleep-study findings.
Could robotic surgery be right for you?
You may be a candidate if…
- You have moderate-to-severe OSA confirmed on a sleep study (high AHI).
- You cannot tolerate, or do not want, a CPAP machine.
- Your obstruction involves the tongue base or tonsils, not just the palate.
- Laser or palate-only surgery has failed to resolve your snoring.
- You are generally fit for a short general anaesthetic.
Signs worth investigating
- Loud, habitual snoring that disturbs your partner.
- Gasping, choking or pauses in breathing during sleep.
- Waking unrefreshed and daytime sleepiness or fatigue.
- Morning headaches or difficulty concentrating.
- A diagnosis of OSA you have been told to manage with CPAP.
Your robotic surgery journey, step by step
Remote assessment
Share your sleep-study results (or symptoms) by WhatsApp. Our ENT team reviews your AHI and history and advises whether a robotic approach is appropriate — before you travel.
Arrival & drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE)
On arrival in Antalya, Dr. Mehmet Akdağ examines exactly where your airway collapses during sleep, so the surgery is targeted to your anatomy rather than a one-size approach.
Robotic procedure
Under general anaesthetic, the da Vinci system is used through the mouth to reduce the tongue base and, where needed, address the tonsils and soft palate. The operation commonly takes around one hour.
Recovery & monitoring
A sore throat is normal for the first days. Most patients have a day-case or single-night stay and manage discomfort with prescribed medication and a soft diet.
Follow-up at home
We stay in touch after you return to the UK and recommend a repeat sleep study to confirm the reduction in your AHI and snoring.
Dr. Mehmet Akdağ
ENT Surgeon (Otorhinolaryngology) · Snoring & Sleep ApneaSurgery
Dr. Akdağ is an ear, nose and throat surgeon whose core focus is the surgical treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea. He qualified in medicine at Uludağ University (2007) and completed his ENT specialist training at Akdeniz University (2012), going on to more than a decade of practice across Akdeniz University Hospital and leading Antalya hospitals. He treats international patients in English.
His published research centres on the airway in sleep-disordered breathing — including tongue-base suspension and its effect on OSA — and he has presented on transoral robotic surgery, the same minimally invasive approach used in this procedure.
Selected peer-reviewed work in sleep surgery
Turhan M, Bostanci A, Akdağ M. The impact of modified tongue base suspension on CPAP levels in patients with severe OSA. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 2015.
Turhan M, Bostancı A, Akdağ M, Dinç O. Effect of packing versus transseptal suture on polysomnographic parameters in septoplasty. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 2013.
Bostancı A, Akdağ M, Turhan M. Transoral robotic management of subglottic stenosis. 13th National Laryngology Congress, 2024.
Robotic procedures are carried out at NewMe's accredited partner hospital, Anatolia Hospital Lara, Antalya.
Why UK patients choose NewMe Health Clinic
NHS sleep-surgery waiting lists are long, and equivalent private surgery in the UK is expensive. We combine advanced robotic technology with accredited care in Antalya.
Typical saving versus comparable UK private fees
Trustpilot rating from 202+ verified reviews
International accreditation & TÜSKA membership
Your treatment package can include
- Pre-travel ENT assessment
- Sleep endoscopy (DISE)
- Robotic surgery & anaesthetic
- Hospital stay & aftercare
- Airport & clinic transfers
- Accommodation arrangement
- Multilingual coordinator
- Post-op follow-up from the UK
Frequently asked questions
Is robotic snoring surgery the same as TORS?
Yes. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS), when used for sleep apnoea, is sometimes called TORSA. The da Vinci robot is operated through the mouth to reduce tongue-base and throat tissue that blocks the airway during sleep, with no external incisions.
Does the surgery leave any scars?
No. The procedure is performed entirely through the mouth, so there are no visible incisions on the neck, chin or face.
How long is the recovery?
A sore throat is expected for the first several days. Most patients return to light daily activity within one to two weeks, following a soft diet and the aftercare plan provided by the clinic.
Will it cure my sleep apnoea?
Robotic surgery can substantially reduce the apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) and snoring in suitable patients, particularly where the tongue base is the cause. Individual results vary and depend on your anatomy and the severity of your OSA. We recommend a follow-up sleep study to measure your outcome.
How long do I need to stay in Turkey?
Most international patients plan for a short stay covering assessment, surgery and initial recovery. Your coordinator will confirm an exact schedule once your case has been reviewed.
How do I find out if I'm suitable?
Send your sleep-study results or describe your symptoms via WhatsApp. Dr. Akdağ's team will review them and advise whether robotic surgery is appropriate for you — free of charge and with no obligation.
Request your free assessment
Tell us about your symptoms or attach a sleep study. We reply within 24 hours.
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+90 542 121 40 03Medically reviewed by Dr. Mani Habibi, IFSO Member · NewMe Health Clinic, Antalya. Last reviewed June 2026.
This page is general health information and does not replace a personal medical consultation. Surgery carries risks; suitability and outcomes vary by individual. NewMe Health Clinic operates under a Turkish Health Tourism Authorisation and is accredited by Temos International. Always seek advice from a qualified clinician before making treatment decisions.