UPPP or the uvulopalatopharyngoplasty surgery is considered the most usual apnea surgery. This applies to adults suffering from sleep apnea disorders. The procedure aims to widen the airways in the throat area and relieve apnea symptoms like snoring and breathing gaps. This will entail removal of tonsils in both sides, the adenoids, the uvula and removing parts or excess tissues of the soft palate, the throat and the pharynx. The UPPP procedure has a high success rate in addressing sleep apnea symptoms, most specially snoring and breathing difficulty.
Things You Need to Know About Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty Surgery
The UPPP surgery is a major operation wherein the patient is placed under general anaesthesia and the operation has to be performed in a complete operating room. The procedure is often introduced as a final option when all other options or alternatives have been taken with no positive results. These options could include weight loss, proper sleep positioning, use of breathing aid devices and medications.
During the actual procedure, the patient will be put under general anaesthesia. A head support will be required to keep the patient’s head steady and supported at all times. This is important to avoid cervical and other injuries. Both eyes will be closed, taped and padded. The oral trachea tube will be placed in the lower lip to help mouth propping and tongue retraction. Patients will also be hooked to monitoring devices in the full duration of the operation. The operating surgeon should be wearing headlights for better lighting.
The proper uvulopalatopharyngoplasty surgery begins with the removal of the tonsils. Next will be the elimination of the excess tissues in the soft palate. Included in the incision is the removal of the uvula or the small tissue hanging in the middle of the throat airway. Coblation is used to tis procedure. Haemostasis of the wounds is done with electrocautery.
Though UPPP records an average of 60% success rate, it is still considered an invasive operation with risks. Patients could expect sleepiness and vomiting dues to the anaesthesia. Patients should try to avoid vomiting because it will irritate the fresh wounds in the throat. The only way to do this is to avoid any food intake a day prior surgery and any liquid at least six hours hence. Swelling, pain, bleeding and infection are highly probable. The patient might also experience sore throat and find it difficult to swallow anything. On rare cases, the voice of the patient can be altered.
UPPP procedure patients usually take three or more weeks to recover. Several days of hospital stay will also be required until doctors are satisfied that the patient is infection risk free. Patients might be required to take antibiotics even before surgery just to ensure safety against infections. It is not unusual for post operative patients to lose weight as eating any kin of solid foods is discouraged on the first few days, and the soft diet prescription could last for several weeks. Talking, too much excitement and any kind of exertion is also dissuade during early recovery period after an uvulopalatopharyngoplasty surgery.