What is uvulopalatopharyngoplasty?

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a surgical procedure to treat mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by taking out extra tissue in the throat to open the upper airways. This extra tissue can include:

  • All or part of the uvula (the soft flap of tissue that hangs down at the back of the mouth).
  • Parts of the soft palate and tissue at the sides of the throat
  • Tonsils and adenoids

Why do you need uvulopalatopharyngoplasty?

If you have mild obstructive sleep apnea and lifestyle changes such as weight loss or changing the position in which you sleep have not worked, your surgeon may recommend uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. 

After the surgery, you may breathe more easily or snore less. However, the surgery may not completely fix your obstructive sleep apnea problem especially if your tongue relaxes when you sleep and blocks your airway. You may still need to use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to ensure the problem is managed.

What can you expect when undergoing uvulopalatopharyngoplasty?

During Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

You may be under local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia. Your surgeon will use a laser instrument to remove parts of the soft palate and tissue at the sides of your throat and all or part of the uvula. Tonsils and adenoids will also be removed if they are still present. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty takes about an hour or less and you can be discharged on the same day.

After Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

You will recover fully from uvulopalatopharyngoplasty after 2 to 4 weeks. Soreness for several weeks after the surgery is expected and you may be recommended to consume soft foods and rinse your mouth with salt water after meals.

Why choose Novena Surgery for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty?

Doctors who choose to perform uvulopalatopharyngoplasty at Novena Surgery will perform the procedure in one of four modular operating theaters with cable-less pendant systems, allowing doctors to operate free of stray wiring obstruction.

Post-procedure, patients can choose to recover in one of Novena Surgery’s comfortable private suites, or in our 12-bed recovery unit under the care of well-trained nursing staff.

Waiting times are also shortened as patients need only turn up half-an-hour before their surgery, and be checked into the ward within 10 minutes of arrival. 

Patients’ companions have the option of patronising Velocity, Square and Square 2 shopping malls that are seamlessly integrated with Novena Medical Centre, the building housing Novena Surgery.

I want to undergo uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in Novena Surgery but I do not have a specialist doctor in mind yet.

This list consists of specialists who commonly perform uvulopalatopharyngoplasty at Novena Surgery – contact us at +65-6254 9331 or admin@novenasurgery.com.sg and we will help you book a consultation appointment with a specialist doctor from the list.

Name of Specialist ClinicName of Specialist DoctorSpecialist Clinic AddressSpecialist Clinic Opening Hours
G Chee Ear Nose Throat Sinus & Dizziness CentreDr Gerard Chee3 Mount Elizabeth, #12-06, Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre,
Singapore 228510
Mon to Fri: 9am to 5pm (except Thurs: 9am to 12pm)
1st Sat of the month: 9am to 12pm
K O Chan Ear Nose Throat Sinus & Sleep CentreDr Chan Kwai Onn10 Sinaran Drive, #10-11, Novena Medical Center, Square 2, Singapore 307506Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 6:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 1:00pm
Sun & Public Holiday: Closed