Suture passer systems and methods for tongue or other tissue suspension and compression

A method of using a suture passer comprising:

• providing a suture passer comprising a first section with a first distal tip, a second section with a first distal tip, and a first interior lumen extending through a portion of the first section;
• advancing the suture passer around a hyoid bone;
• and
• passing a plunger into the first interior lumen.

An method comprising:

• providing a suture having a first strand, a second strand, and an arc between the first strand and the second strand;
• placing the arc on one side of the hyoid bone;
• placing the first strand and the second strand on the other side of the hyoid bone;
• forming a girth hitch around the hyoid bone;
• and
• securing the first strand and the second strand to a bone anchor