Surgical Solutions | UP3 and Tonsillectomy
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UP3) & Tonsillectomy
A Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty or UP3 is a well-known method to reduce the size of the soft palate and uvula. The soft palate begins at the junction of the roof of the mouth after the hard, bony portion of the roof becomes soft. The bell in the back of your throat called the uvula. This area is also called the snoring center and for most patients is where the sound of snoring originates. When elongated, this is also the area that flaps backward when you sleep, blocking your airway causing apneas.
If your tonsils are enlarged, Dr. Pasha may also recommend a standard tonsillectomy. The tonsils are lymphatic tissue that are shaped like a ball and live in a pocket in the back of your throat. If enlarged, this may contribute to snoring and sleep apnea. Adenoids, which are located behind the nose, may also be removed at the same time.
A UP3 and tonsillectomy is performed in the operating room, while you are asleep, through your mouth without making any incisions on the face. To remove the tonsils and portion of the soft palate, Dr. Pasha uses a number of techniques including electrocautery or a newer technique that vibrates the tissue called coblation. After removing the sagging portion of the palate, dissolvable stitches are used close up the area.
Dr. Pasha understands that UP3’s have been given a bad name. Techniques for UP3, which vary greatly from surgeon to surgeon, and patient selection may be the primary cause of failures in the past. Dr. Pasha has focused on the surgical management of sleep disorders. Having performed over 1,600 sleep apnea procedures, he has also taken interest in revision surgery for failed prior procedures. Experience with various techniques as well as a global understanding of snoring and sleep apnea is what will increase your success.
FAQ's
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