Uvulopalatoplasty (surgery for snoring)
specialists
equipment
treatment
What is snoring and why is it dangerous?
Snoring occurs when the upper airway narrows during sleep, causing the soft tissues in the throat area to vibrate under the airflow. Therefore, it's not just a "noise" that disturbs loved ones: snoring often signals that breathing during sleep is becoming less free and the body is getting less restful sleep. Constant micro-awakenings can worsen sleep quality, leading to daytime sleepiness, decreased concentration, and reduced performance.
Special attention should be paid to the possible connection between snoring and apnea—episodes of cessation or marked reduction in breathing during sleep. In such cases, the risk of complications is higher, and the treatment approach should be based not on guesswork but on examination data. To understand the cause of snoring and choose a safe approach, it is important to undergo a diagnosis by a doctor and assess whether there are signs of apnea and which structures are interfering with breathing.
Causes of snoring
The main causes can be traced back to one mechanism: during sleep, the airway narrows, causing the air to vibrate the soft palate, throat walls, and other tissues. The exact cause depends on anatomy and lifestyle, so the "source" of the problem may differ from person to person.
- ENT factors: difficulty breathing through the nose (deviated septum, mucosal edema, polyps), enlarged tonsils or adenoids – all of these increase mouth breathing and tissue vibration.
- Anatomy: low-set soft palate, elongated uvula, narrow airways, bite and jaw structure.
- Weight and swelling: excess weight and a tendency to edema reduce the pharyngeal lumen and make snoring more pronounced.
- Lifestyle: smoking, drinking alcohol before bed, and lack of sleep are factors that increase muscle relaxation and provoke snoring.
If the cause is not obvious, it is best to start with an examination: a doctor will help determine which factors are relevant in your case and which approach will be most effective.
Factors influencing the development of snoring
Even if the underlying cause of snoring is anatomical, the severity of symptoms and treatment outcome are significantly affected by associated factors. For example, excess weight increases the volume of soft tissue in the neck, narrowing the pharynx, making the tissue more susceptible to vibration. If the soft palate has decreased tone (due to alcohol consumption, chronic sleep deprivation, or smoking), the palate sags more, and snoring becomes louder and more persistent. If apnea is suspected, the situation becomes more complex: problems can occur not only at the palate but also below, so localized correction does not always produce the expected effect.
Reflux also has a significant impact: irritation of the mucous membrane and swelling in the pharynx intensify the narrowing and maintain chronic inflammation. Therefore, diagnostics are essential before any intervention – it helps understand the underlying factors, what can be corrected in advance, and why the limitations of effectiveness described below are truly significant.
Effectiveness of soft palate surgery for snoring
Uvulopalatoplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at correcting the structures of the soft palate, including the uvula, to eliminate or reduce snoring and treat mild forms of obstructive sleep apnea. The surgery involves removing or reshaping excess soft tissue in the throat area, which helps widen the airway and reduce tissue vibration during sleep.
Soft palate surgery began in the mid-20th century.
Diagnostics of snoring
A proper snoring diagnosis is necessary to understand the cause of airway narrowing and choose a safe treatment strategy. This typically begins with a consultation: the doctor asks how long the snoring has been going on, whether loved ones report pauses in breathing, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, or blood pressure fluctuations. An ENT examination is then performed, assessing nasal breathing, the condition of the nasopharynx, tonsils, soft palate, and uvula to determine the level of obstruction. A Moscow clinic may prescribe additional tests (such as an endoscopy) if a detailed anatomy examination is needed.
A key step, where the decision often hinges on objective data, is polysomnography or another sleep study. This helps confirm or rule out apnea, determine the severity of breathing problems, and determine whether local surgery will be effective. The combination of examination and sleep study is the basis for deciding whether uvulopalatoplasty is appropriate or not: it's important not only to eliminate tissue vibration, but also to eliminate the cause and reduce the risk of complications.
Indications and contraindications for snoring treatment
Snoring treatment is selected on an individual basis: for some, lifestyle changes and treatment of ENT causes are sufficient, while others require surgical intervention. The decision on whether surgery is necessary is made after an examination, as the same complaints can have different causes in different people. Below are general guidelines, but the final decision is made by the doctor, taking into account the diagnostic data and the patient's condition.
Indications for surgical treatment (including uvulopalatoplasty) are most often considered if:
- Persistent snoring is present, reducing sleep quality, and conservative measures are ineffective.
- Examination confirms that the primary problem is related to the soft palate/uvula and the oropharynx.
- There are no signs of severe sleep apnea, or it requires a different, more comprehensive approach.
- Anatomical features interfere with free breathing during sleep and are confirmed by examination.
- The patient is willing to follow recommendations for preparation and recovery.
Contraindications to surgery may be temporary or permanent:
- Acute inflammatory diseases of the ENT organs, fever, exacerbation of infections.
- Severe comorbidities that increase the risk of anesthesia and postoperative complications
- Uncorrected bleeding disorders, high risk of bleeding
- Situations where the underlying cause of snoring is not related to the palate (for example, with severe apnea based on sleep studies) – then a different approach is chosen.
- Inability to adhere to the postoperative regimen and monitoring
Even if indicated, the decision to perform surgery is made only after an in-person consultation: the doctor assesses the risks, explains the expected effect, and proposes the optimal treatment plan.
Should these two blocks be made more “commercial” for the landing page (emphasizing the recording and benefits), or should the medical tone be retained without any marketing emphasis?
Criteria for uvulopalatoplasty
Uvulopalatoplasty is recommended for those who experience snoring that is not associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Snoring usually signals other health problems, including vibration of the soft tissue in the throat area. May be caused by smoking, excess weight, enlarged tonsils, or difficulty breathing through the nose.
The operation is indicated for those who have mild forms, no obesity, no inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract and have been examined by polysomnography, thus excluding obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. In such cases, uvulopalatoplasty may be effective.
Limitations of the effectiveness of uvulopalatoplasty
- Overweight
- Anomalies of the structure of the lower part of the face
- Smoking habit, reflux or thyroid problems
- Decreased tone of the pharyngeal muscles
Snoring treatment methods
The treatment approach is selected based on the cause and severity of symptoms: the goal is not simply to "eliminate the sound," but to normalize breathing during sleep and reduce the risk of complications. Typically, the doctor begins with the most gentle solutions and intensifies these tactics only when there are confirmed indications.
- Conservative ENT therapy and factor correction: treatment of nasal congestion, inflammation, allergic rhinitis, working with habits and sleep patterns.
- Non-surgical methods for sleep-disordered breathing: intraoral devices or CPAP therapy for confirmed apnea.
- Surgical approaches: procedures on the soft palate and uvula to reduce tissue vibration and improve oropharyngeal lumen.
When the anatomy of the oropharynx plays a leading role and this is confirmed by examination, a surgical option may be considered. One such surgical option is uvulopalatoplasty: the specific procedure and its scope are determined based on diagnostic results and individual characteristics.
Classical uvulopalatoplasty
Classical uvulopalatoplasty is a surgical procedure that involves excision and partial removal of excess tissue in the oropharynx, correcting the soft palate and, if necessary, reducing the uvula. Unlike more gentle techniques, classical surgery allows for more precise tissue management and may be appropriate when changes are significant and require complete reconstruction.
The advantages include the predictable extent of correction and the ability to address the issue "here and now" when appropriate. The disadvantages include more noticeable postoperative discomfort and a longer recovery period compared to radiofrequency or laser methods. It is suitable for patients in whom the underlying cause of snoring has been confirmed at the soft palate/uvula level and there are no factors that make surgery ineffective.
Treating snoring at home
Home remedies can significantly reduce the severity of snoring and maintain the effectiveness of therapy, but they are most effective when the cause is not related to apnea. Basic steps include weight control, avoiding smoking and alcohol before bed, and positional therapy (sleeping on your side, choosing a comfortable pillow). Maintaining good sleep hygiene is important: a regular sleep routine, cool and humidified air, and sufficient rest reduce tissue sagging and the frequency of minor arousals.
If you have nasal congestion, it should be treated as prescribed by a doctor; prolonged, uncontrolled use of decongestant drops can worsen the condition. Home treatment can help reduce snoring and speed recovery, but if apnea is suspected, an examination and medical treatment are essential; otherwise, you could miss a significant problem that affects your sleep quality and health.
General information about the procedure
Preparation for uvulopalatoplasty
Before the study, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination, including:
- General blood test
- Urine analysis
- Checking blood sugar levels, coagulation, determination of blood group and Rh factor, tests for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis
- Chest X-ray
- ECG
- Sleep study - polysomnography
- Examination by a therapist and anesthesiologist
Three days before surgery, it is recommended not to drink alcohol or do heavy physical work. 3-4 hours before the procedure you must refrain from eating, drinking and smoking.
K+31 photo gallery
Our doctors
Make an appointment at a convenient time on the nearest date
This award is given to clinics with the highest ratings according to user ratings, a large number of requests from this site, and in the absence of critical violations.
This award is given to clinics with the highest ratings according to user ratings. It means that the place is known, loved, and definitely worth visiting.
The ProDoctors portal collected 500 thousand reviews, compiled a rating of doctors based on them and awarded the best. We are proud that our doctors are among those awarded.
Price
Other services
Appointment to the doctor
Reviews
Our clinics
Application “Personal Account K+31”
About the service
Snoring occurs in the throat area, which often refers people to an ENT specialist. Many believe that the solution to the problem lies here. Otolaryngologists often suggest uvulopalatoplasty, as the operation eliminates snoring.
The procedure is considered relatively simple: it is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia and is inexpensive. During the operation, part of the soft palate and uvula are removed, which widens the airways. Sometimes additional manipulations are performed to reduce tissue mobility in this area.
After uvulopalatoplasty, the space for breathing increases, soft structures become less mobile, which theoretically should eliminate snoring. However, in practice, the success of the method is not guaranteed, especially with severe obstructive apnea.