Overview
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is surgery to open the upper airways at the back of the throat by taking out extra soft tissue. This allows air to move through the throat more easily when you breathe, reducing snoring.
When your post-operative swelling has settled, you should have better airflow and may find that you snore less or not at all.
Who It Helps
UPPP is a common treatment for
- Severe snoring
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Patients where other treatments, like losing weight or wearing a sleep device, have not helped
What Happens
The Operation
UPPP is performed under general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will use a range of surgical techniques to remove the extra soft tissue at the back of the throat. This may include removing the soft flap of tissue that hangs down at the back of the mouth (uvula), parts of the soft palate and tissue at the sides of the throat. Your tonsils and adenoids may also be removed if you still have them.
After The Operation
The initial stages of recovery can be painful for swallowing, eating and drinking. You may have stitches in the back of your throat, which will dissolve on their own after a few weeks. It takes around three weeks to fully recover from UPPP surgery.
Recovery Information
Pain Relief
Take regular pain relief such as Panadol for the first 5 days. You can take Ibuprofen (Nurofen) in combination with Panadol provided you are not allergic to it or have asthma. We recommend you take Nurofen no more than 3 times a day and with a meal, as it can upset the stomach. Pain may worsen on days 2 to 3. Drink plenty of water.
What Is Normal
Having a white coating on your throat and bad breath is normal. It is also normal to feel like you have a cold. This is not an infection, and there is no indication for antibiotics in most cases after a UPPP.
Diet
Avoid hot foods and drinks for 2 weeks as these can increase the risk of bleeding. Cooked meals are fine but let the food cool down before eating it. Citrus drinks and spicy foods may cause some throat discomfort but are not dangerous. Milk, ice cream and yoghurt are often soothing.
Time Off Work
As a rule, most people have two weeks off work. If your job is not strenuous, you may require less time off.
Bleeding
A small amount of bleeding post operatively is common. If this happens, rinse your mouth with water. If bleeding is large in volume or continues for more than 20-30 minutes, go to the nearest hospital with an emergency centre.
Travel
Please do not make any plans to travel more than 40 minutes from the hospital in the first 2 weeks after a UPPP.
Post-Operative Care Instructions
Detailed aftercare guidance for your surgery, to keep and refer back to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will UPPP stop my snoring?
Once post-operative swelling has settled you should have better airflow and may find that you snore less or not at all.
How long does it take to recover from UPPP?
It takes around three weeks to fully recover. Most people have two weeks off work.
Will I need antibiotics after surgery?
In most cases, no. A white coating on the throat, bad breath and feeling like you have a cold are normal after UPPP and are not signs of infection.
Can I travel after UPPP?
Please do not plan to travel more than 40 minutes from the hospital in the first 2 weeks after surgery.