A uvulectomy is a surgical procedure in which all or part of the uvula is removed. The uvula is a bell-shaped organ that hangs from the top of the throat. There are a few different reasons a uvulectomy is performed including some rituals, but most are controversial.
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The uvula plays a role in the gag reflex. It also has a small part in keeping the mouth moist as it contains many salivary glands. Additionally, the uvula helps you articulate. However, you most likely will not suffer from xerostomia (dry mouth) or be unable to articulate clearly after having a uvulectomy.
Reasons for Uvulectomy
While it has not been proven totally effective, perhaps the most common reason for a uvulectomy in the United States is to assist in the treatment ofobstructive sleep apnea. A uvulectomy may be performed alone or as part of a larger procedure called auvulopalatopharyngoplasty(UPPP).The purpose of both procedures is to remove tissue that may be blocking the airway.
Hereditary angioneurotic edema (HANE) is another condition that a uvulectomy is sometimes used to treat.HANE is arare diseasein which the tissues fill with water. If the tissues in and around the throat become too swollen, a person with this condition can suffocate. The idea behind removing the extra tissue of the uvula is that this frees up more space and can prevent asphyxiation.
Other than for obstructive sleep apnea and HANE, an uvulectomy is uncommon in the western world and is more commonly practiced in African and Middle Eastern countries.
What Happens During a Uvulectomy Procedure
You do not need to be “put to sleep” usinggeneral anesthesiafor a uvulectomy. This surgery can be done withlocal anestheticsto numb the area around your uvula. After you have had time to sufficiently desensitize the area, your surgeon will likely use either a laser-ablation technique or a hot snare approach.
Associated Risks
Risks with modern uvulectomies are minimal. However, pain, bleeding, and infections are possible risks. You may also have a change in your voice in the one to two weeks after your uvula is removed.
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Fauquier ENT Consultants.Uvulectomy (Uvula Excision) for Snoring.Khan A, Ramar K, Maddirala S, Friedman O, Pallanch JF, Olson EJ.Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in the management of obstructive sleep apnea: the mayo clinic experience. Mayo Clin Proc. 2009;84(9):795-800.Henao MP, Kraschnewski JL, Kelbel T, Craig TJ.Diagnosis and screening of patients with hereditary angioedema in primary care. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2016;12:701-11. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S86293Ravesloot MJ, De vries N.‘A good shepherd, but with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome’: traditional uvulectomy case series and literature review.J Laryngol Otol. 2011;125(9):982-6. doi:10.1017/S0022215111001526
Fauquier ENT Consultants.Uvulectomy (Uvula Excision) for Snoring.
Khan A, Ramar K, Maddirala S, Friedman O, Pallanch JF, Olson EJ.Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in the management of obstructive sleep apnea: the mayo clinic experience. Mayo Clin Proc. 2009;84(9):795-800.
Henao MP, Kraschnewski JL, Kelbel T, Craig TJ.Diagnosis and screening of patients with hereditary angioedema in primary care. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2016;12:701-11. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S86293
Ravesloot MJ, De vries N.‘A good shepherd, but with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome’: traditional uvulectomy case series and literature review.J Laryngol Otol. 2011;125(9):982-6. doi:10.1017/S0022215111001526
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