Definition

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is surgery to take out excess tissue from the back of the mouth and the throat.

The Mouth and Throat Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Reasons for Procedure

UPPP is most often done to treat sleep apnea. This causes pauses in breathing during sleep. Rarely, it may be done to treat severe snoring. Muscles in the back of your throat relax when you sleep. When the muscles relax, the soft tissue they support can collapse into the airway. The narrowed airway can cause snoring and sleep apnea.

UPPP removes excess soft tissue to keep the airway open during sleep. It may be done if other treatments haven't worked.

Possible Complications

Problems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems such as:

• Excess bleeding
• Reaction to anesthesia
• Nausea or vomiting
• Infection
• Vocal changes
• Swallowing problems
• Reduced sense of smell
• Scar tissue, which may lead to a nasal blockage

Some people don't respond to this surgery. Other methods to control sleep apnea may still be needed.

Your chances for problems are higher for:

• Smoking
• Drinking
• Chronic disease such as diabetes or obesity

This surgery is more successful in those who maintain a healthy weight.

What to Expect

Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor if any of these occur:

• Signs of infection such as fever or chills
• Pain that you can't control with the medicines you were given
• Excess bleeding or pus from the wound
• Nausea or vomiting
• Signs of dehydration such as not passing urine for 8 or more hours
• Breathing problems

If you think you have an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.