surgery statistics uvula apnea

rentschler · Newbie Joined: 22 May 2005 Posts: 22

Hello! My husband suffers from obstructive sleeping apnea and as there weren’t any medications we are thinking about having a surgery, and we would like to know more about the possibilities. What kind of surgeries are there? Thank you

zarah · Newbie Joined: 03 Apr 2005 Posts: 21

Hi there! The type of surgery depends on the cause of the sleep apnea. As I can see from your title, it must be the uvula that is causing the problem. I believe that the best surgery is Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), which is a surgery that removes the tonsils, uvula and part of your soft palate (roof of your mouth in the back of your throat). Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is a surgery that can stop snoring but is probably not helpful in treating sleep apnea. A laser device is used to remove the uvula and part of the soft palate. Because the main symptom of sleep apnea-snoring-is stopped, it is important to have a sleep study before having this surgery. There is also tracheostomy but it is used in severe sleep apnea when a patient is not responding to all other possible treatments.

Guest · Guest

Hello. I am trying to find out if any one who has had uppp surgery, is expierencing excessive phlegm. My boyfriend had it in Sept 06, and is constantly coughing up phlegm. He says that because there is so uvula the phlegm builds up.. I have a lot of reading and no where does it say that. I am concerned , this is a big issue for both of us. He alreaady was treated with antibiotics for possible sinus infection, any help or thoughts would be appreciated, Kodiak Alaska

rskeeton · Newbie Joined: 04 Jan 2007 Posts: 1

Hello There,
I had UPPP surgery years ago (1991-1992) and I have had excessive phlegm ever since. I have been wondering if it was da result of the operation or if I just have post nasal drip all the time, but now that you mention it I'm thiking that it is a result of the surgery. Does your boyfriend also choke easily when he's eating? I choke very easily if I'm not mindful when I eat and especially if I eat something spicy.

Guest · Guest

I was googling to find out info about the two issues listed in the subject. I had UPPP in Mar 06 (so just months ago). My sleep has improved significantly, I feel rested when i awake and there is no snoring (I'm told). However, I do experience phlegm build up in my throat throughout the night, sometimes thick enough to awaken me (and i have to expectorate). The phlegm is also excessively sticky! So it's hard to cough up! Overall though, this is minor compared to the shape i was in before the surgery (ALWAYS fatigued because my sleep was not restful, and I used, but hated, the CPAP).

As far as choking while eating, i experience this too. I have to be very careful - i think it's because i have to adjust to the larger airway. I have to not talk too much while chewing or whatever, just be conscious of what i'm doing so i don't really choke.

Guest · Guest

Yes Phlegm is a problem for me too. Had UPPP April 2007. Had lots of phantom sensations also. Now the phlegm is a problem. My throat always feels full of phlegm I can seem to expell by coughing or meds. Sometimes it feels like I have so much of it that I'm kind of gagging on it or having to swallow it.

Lottie Vermaak · Newbie Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 2

Phlegm is a very big problem for me at the moment. I had the UPPP in December 2007 and it was a big sucsess. My husband says that he cant believe that I don't snore anymore. But my problem is phlegm. It is thick and sticky and I cant get it down my throught. This results in me being nauseas al the time. I sometimes have to get up at night to throw up. Does anyone have some advice? Please?

surgery statistics uvula apnea

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