Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for snoring

Surgery Overview

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Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a procedure used to remove excess tissue in the throat to widen the airway. This sometimes can allow air to move through the throat more easily when you breathe, decreasing snoring. The tissues removed may include:

• The small fingerlike piece of tissue that hangs down from the back of the roof of the mouth into the throat (uvula).
• Part of the roof of the mouth (soft palate).
• Excess throat tissue, tonsils and adenoids, and the pharynx.

See illustrations of the tonsils, adenoids, and uvula and the soft palate .

What To Expect After Surgery

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It takes about 3 weeks to recover from surgery. It may be very difficult to swallow after during this time. Because of this, only 60% of those having the surgery say they would undergo it again.¹

Why It Is Done

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Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is sometimes used to treat snoring in people so that their bed partner can sleep better. It is rarely used and only considered in cases of very severe snoring when other treatments have failed. It may be used in people who:

• Have excess tissue in the nose, mouth, or throat that blocks their airway.
• Do not stop snoring after making lifestyle changes such as losing weight and sleeping on their side.

How Well It Works

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UPPP is often effective in reducing snoring initially. Over the long term, it cures snoring in 46% to 73% of those who have had surgery.¹

Risks

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Complications during surgery include accidental damage to surrounding blood vessels or tissues.

Complications after surgery may include:

• Sleepiness and periods of not breathing (apnea) related to the medications used to make you sleep during surgery.
• Swelling, pain, infection, and bleeding.
• A sore throat and difficulty swallowing.
• Drainage of secretions into the nose and a nasal quality to the voice. Speech may be affected with this surgery.
• Narrowing of the airway in the nose and throat.

What To Think About

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Surgery is rarely used to treat snoring. It may not completely cure snoring, and the risks of surgery may not be worth the small benefit you gain.

If you develop sleep apnea after having UPPP, diagnosis may be delayed because you do not snore. Snoring is the major symptom of sleep apnea.

Snoring is not always considered a medical problem, so insurance may not cover treatment.

Before considering surgery, all people who snore should try nonsurgical treatment.

Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty also may be used to treat snoring.

Complete the surgery information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you prepare for this surgery.

References

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Citations

1. Williams MF (2003). Snoring section of Selected problems of the ears, nose, throat, and oral cavity. In LR Barker et al., eds., Principles of Ambulatory Medicine, 6th ed., pp. 1702–1704. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Credits

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Author	Ralph Poore
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Jan Ulfberg, MD, PhD - Sleep Disorders
Last Updated	February 21, 2006