Removal or Shortening of Uvula

We can perform a procedure to shorten the uvula, resulting in a more restful night’s sleep.

Overview

Uvula removal (uvulectomy) or shortening is a short procedure usually performed in the office to address issues related to an enlarged or elongated uvula. The uvula is the small, fleshy projection hanging at the back of the throat. This procedure may be recommended for patients experiencing sleep-disordered breathing, chronic snoring, or recurrent throat irritation due to an oversized uvula.

Benefits

Uvula removal or shortening offers several potential benefits, including:

  • Improved Sleep Quality: This leads to better rest for the patient and their sleep partner.
  • Decreased Throat Irritation: Reduces instances of coughing and throat discomfort.
  • Enhanced Breathing: May alleviate symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing or mild sleep apnea.

Procedure Details

What Happens Before the Procedure?

Before uvula removal or shortening, patients will have a comprehensive evaluation with an ENT specialist. This may include:

  • A thorough medical history review
  • Physical examination of the throat and surrounding structures
  • Sleep study results (if applicable)
  • Examination of the throat with a small scope in the office (flexible laryngoscopy)
  • Discussion of treatment options and expected outcomes

What Happens During the Procedure?

Uvula removal or shortening is typically performed under local anesthesia, although in some cases it may be performed in the operating room.  The steps usually include:

  1. Administering topical anesthesia
  2. Accessing the uvula through the mouth
  3. Carefully removing or shortening the uvula using small instruments 
  4. Ensuring proper hemostasis (control of small amounts of bleeding)

How Long Does Ear Tube Removal Take?

The procedure usually takes a couple of minutes.

Recovery & Outlook

Recovery from uvula removal or shortening typically takes about one week. During this time, patients can expect to have a sore throat. In order to help alleviate this, we prescribe pain medication and recommend a soft, cold diet plus lots of popsicles to soothe the throat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dr. Steven Davis

Medically reviewed by Dr. Steven Davis

Written by
Breathe Clear Institute Editorial Team

Posted on
June 4, 2024