Is uvula removal or shortening painful?

Patients may experience some discomfort and pain in the throat for several days after the procedure. This can usually be managed with prescribed pain medication.

Will removing or shortening my uvula affect my speech?

Most patients do not experience significant changes in their speech. However, some may notice minor changes in pronunciation of certain sounds, which typically resolve with time.

How effective is uvula removal or shortening for snoring?

While results can vary, many patients experience a significant reduction in snoring. However, it's important to note that snoring may have multiple causes, and this procedure may be part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

What are the risks associated with uvula removal or shortening?

Risks may include bleeding, infection, changes in taste or swallowing, and in rare cases, velopharyngeal insufficiency (air escaping through the nose during speech).

How long before I can eat and drink normally after the procedure?

Most patients can resume a normal diet within 1-2 weeks. Your ENT specialist will provide specific dietary guidelines during your recovery period.

Removal or Shortening of Uvula

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

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Contents: Benefits Procedure Recovery & Outlook FAQs

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:

Administering topical anesthesia
Accessing the uvula through the mouth
Carefully removing or shortening the uvula using small instruments
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

Medically reviewed by Dr. Steven Davis

Written by
Breathe Clear Institute Editorial Team

Posted on
June 4, 2024