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UPPP (Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty)

What Is Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)?

UPPP | Sleep Apnea Treatment | Snoring Treatment Austin TXUPPP is short for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. It is a procedure that causes elevation and stiffening of the soft palate and reduction of the uvula. It is intended to reduce snoring and sleep apnea.

Previously this was an aggressive surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia in the operating room. A large section of the soft palate was surgically resected along with the tonsils. This created severe pain and unpredictable healing with significant risks of complications.

Dr. Daniel Slaughter of Austin, Texas has developed a minimally invasive technique that can be performed in the office. It is frequently combined with nasal procedures such as balloon sinuplasty to reduce or eliminate snoring and sleep apnea. In this procedure the elongated uvula is reduced to normal size and a stiffening treatment is placed above the uvula area. The uvula reduction and stiffening are done with a unique treatment called thermal fusion. This stimulates the patient’s soft palate to elevate and lay in collagen to stiffen over 9 weeks. There is discomfort for about 2 weeks but it is generally well tolerated with most patients being able to work, talk, and eat normally. The risk of any complication is dramatically reduced with this technique.

What Concerns Can UPPP Treat?

Dr. Slaughter uses uvulopalatopharyngoplasty to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. UPPP surgery is typically recommended for sleep apnea if there is a visible elongation of the soft palate and uvula contributing to obstructive sleep apnea.

Candidates for UPPP At Sinus & Snoring Specialists

Patients with the following conditions can benefit greatly from UPPP:

  • Patients with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea
  • People with long and floppy soft palate tissue
  • Patients with a long uvula

Benefits of UPPP For Sleep Apnea and Snoring

Benefits of this modern UPPP that Dr. Slaughter performs include reduction of snoring, reduction of OSA, faster healing, minimal downtime, and the ability to do as an office procedure.

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The Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty Procedure

We perform the reduction of the uvula with a special low energy electric instrument. This is combined with an injection of a stiffening agent to the soft palate that stimulates the soft palate to elevate and lay down natural scar tissue. Patients are typically under IV sedation in our office and do not feel or remember the procedure. The procedure takes about 5 minutes and our patients typically leave our office within 15 minutes. This procedure is typically done along with the correction of the nasal and sinus airway including balloon sinuplasty, septoplasty, and turbinate reduction.

Candidates For UPPP At Sinus & Snoring Specialists

Patients who snore and or have OSA (Obstructive sleep apnea) and who also have an elongated soft palate and uvula as a contributing cause may benefit from UPPP.

Benefits Of UPPP For Sleep Apnea And Snoring

UPPP may help reduce snoring and also may reduce the amount of OSA in select patients

How can I prepare for UPPPP?

This procedure is done in our office under IV sedation. Preop instructions are given regarding diet and premedication before the procedure.

How effective is UPPP surgery?

UPPP is not a cure all as many patients have OSA or snoring from multiple causes. Anatomical issues in the nose, a large tongue, large tonsils, and obesity may also be contributing. As such a multi-pronged strategy is required.

How long will results from the UPPP treatment last?

Once reduced the soft palate and uvula tightening is essentially permanent but snoring may recur secondary to other issues that may additionally need to be addressed.

Recovery from UPPP

A sore throat (described as a 5/10 pain level) is typical for 2 weeks. Pain is managed with pain medication and topical numbing sprays. Transient difficulty with swallowing can be expected. Typically there is no change in the patient’s voice. There is further change and improvement in snoring and sleep apnea for about 9 weeks.

Risks of The UPPP Treatment

The risks with our modern procedure are very limited. The patient will have a sore throat for about two weeks. Some patients may report transient choking sensations or some difficulty swallowing. We have not experienced any patient with any permanent change in their voice or swallowing.

Schedule a consultation

If you are interested in UPPP and would like more information, contact our office at 512.601.0303 to schedule a consultation with Sinus & Snoring Specialists located in Austin, Texas.

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