What is Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is a surgery to remove or reshape soft tissues in the back of the throat, such as:

• The tonsils.
• The small piece of tissue that hangs from the back of the throat (uvula).
• Soft tissue at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft palate).

This procedure may be done to treat severe snoring or sleep apnea that is caused by throat blockage related to excess tissue.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Infection.
• Bleeding.
• Allergic reactions to medicines.
• Damage to other structures or organs.
• Blood clots.
• Changes in your voice.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Having fluids come out of your nose when swallowing.
• Changes in your sense of smell.
• Return of apnea symptoms.

What happens before the procedure?

• Ask your health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
• You may have an exam or testing.
• You may have a blood sample taken.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
• Your health care provider may start you on a weight reduction program.
• Do not use any tobacco products, such as cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• If you use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, follow your health care provider’s instructions about how often to use it before surgery. Bring your CPAP device to the hospital on the day of your surgery.
• You may be given antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection.
• Plan to have someone take you home after the procedure.
• If you go home right after the procedure, plan to have someone with you for 24 hours.

What happens during the procedure?

• To reduce your risk of infection:
  • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
  • Your skin will be washed with soap.
• An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
• You will be given a medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic). You may also be given a medicine to help you relax (sedative).
• Small incisions will be made in the soft tissue at the back of your throat.
• Throat tissue that blocks your airway will be removed.
• The incisions in your throat will be closed with stitches (sutures). These will fall out during the next few days or weeks.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored often until the medicines you were given have worn off.
• You may continue to receive fluids and medicine through an IV tube.
• You will have some pain, especially when swallowing or talking. Pain medicines will be available to help you.
• If you use a CPAP device, it may be placed on you after surgery.
• The head of your bed will be kept at an upright angle.
• You may have to wear compression stockings. These stockings help to prevent blood clots and reduce swelling in your legs.
• Do not drive for 24 hours if you received a sedative.

Care After Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

Refer to this sheet in the next few weeks. These instructions provide you with information about caring for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. Your treatment has been planned according to current medical practices, but problems sometimes occur. Call your health care provider if you have any problems or questions after your procedure.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

• Throat pain, especially when swallowing.
• Throat soreness for up to 4 weeks after surgery.
• Mild ear pain.
• Blood in your saliva for up to 1 week after surgery.
• Bad breath.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.

Driving

• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
• Do not drive for 24 hours if you received a medicine to help you relax (sedative).

Eating and drinking

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
• If swallowing is painful, try eating soft foods until you feel better. You may need to eat soft foods for up to 3 weeks after your procedure.
• Avoid spicy foods until you feel better.
• To ease throat discomfort, drink cool liquids or liquids that are room temperature.
• Avoid drinking red-colored liquids because they can be mistaken for blood in your saliva.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.

General instructions

• Keep your mouth and throat area moist by sipping water frequently and using a room humidifier in the room where you sleep.
• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Wear compression stockings as told by your health care provider. These stockings help to prevent blood clots and reduce swelling in your legs.
• Do not use any tobacco products, such as cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Keep your head raised (elevated) when you lie down. Try using two pillows to do this. Do this until your throat heals.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have a fever.
• You have more redness, swelling, or pain at the site of your incisions.
• You have blood or pus coming from your incisions.
• Your apnea symptoms return or get worse.
• You vomit or feel nauseous.
• It has been more than 1 week since surgery and you have more blood in your saliva.
• It has been more than 1 week since surgery and food gets caught in your throat when you eat.

Get help right away if:

• You have severe ear pain.
• You cannot swallow.
• You have changes in your voice.
• You have changes in your sense of smell.
• You vomit blood.
• You have difficulty breathing.