PATIENT INFO

• Introduction
• Initial Consultation
• Scheduling
• Insurance Coverage
• Sleep Apnea
• Women & Snoring
• Home Sleep Study
• CPAP
• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
• Nasal Surgery

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

The uvula is a piece of dangling soft tissue found above the back of your tongue. It can contribute to snoring, especially in patients with elongated, large, or tapered uvulas. While sleeping, breathing may cause the uvula to vibrate, creating snoring.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a procedure Dr. Parker may recommend if you are a candidate. Candidates for UPPP are those whose apnea problems can be traced to the floppy tissue in the back of the throat. During the procedure, Dr. Parker will trim back the floppy tissues and sew them with dissolvable stitches to help them heal in the proper position.  Some patients may require a "hybrid" procedure where the floppy tissue is trimmed back, and Pillar palatal implants are placed in the remaining palatal tissue to stiffen it.  Some patients with nasal obstruction may also require "multilevel" airway surgery, where nasal obstruction is relieved by straightening the nasal septum or reducing the size of the turbinates.