What is a Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in medical terms?
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is surgery to open the upper airways by taking out extra tissue in the throat. It may be done to treat mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or severe snoring.
How long is recovery from UPPP surgery?
After the Procedure UPPP surgery can be painful and full recovery takes 2 or 3 weeks. Your throat will be very sore for up to several weeks. You will get liquid pain medicines to ease the soreness.
What is uvula function?
Your uvula is made of connective tissue, glands, and small muscle fibers. It secretes large amounts of saliva that keep your throat moist and lubricated. It also helps keep food or fluids from ending up in the space behind your nose when you swallow.
Is Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty safe?
A review of 3,572 patients treated with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty revealed the incidence of serious complications to be 37.1 per 1,000 patients. The most common complications were postoperative hemorrhage and infections; there were no perioperative or postoperative deaths.
What is the CPT code for Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty?
Historically speaking, the codes for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (CPT code 42145) and tonsillectomy (CPT code 42826) have been bundled in NCCI since 1/1/2002.
How successful is UPPP surgery?
UPPP was designed to enlarge the oropharyngeal airway8 and remains the most common surgical intervention for OSAHS. Review of the literature indicates the success rate (a 50% reduction in Apnea/Hypopnea Index [AHI] and a postoperative AHI of less than 20) for UPPP as an isolated procedure ranges from 25% to 80%.
What is the hanging thing in your mouth?
Your uvula — the flesh that hangs in the back of your throat — helps you swallow and speak. But you can run into problems if it’s larger than normal. A swollen uvula can cause a sore throat, redness, trouble breathing or talking, or a choking feeling.
Can I cut off my uvula?
Uvula removal is done with a procedure called an uvulectomy. This removes all or part of the uvula. It’s usually done to treat snoring or some of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). When you sleep, your uvula vibrates.
Is sleep apnea surgery painful?
It aims to increase the space required for obstruction-free breathing in OSA. You may have stitches in the back of your throat. This part is sensitive; therefore, the surgery may result in relatively more pain after you recover from the anesthesia. You will experience pain while eating and talking.