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Uvulotomy is the complete or partial excision of the uvula. From Latin, this is translated as a process of a small size, localized on the posterior edge of the soft palate.
The main task of this process is to correctly form sounds. Together with other organs of the oral cavity, it can cause snoring in humans. As we know, snoring is one of the signs of obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore, in order to restore normal breathing during sleep, the patient needs to remove the uvula.
Otherwise, serious pathological processes can begin in the human body, namely pulmonary hypertension (a progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, which causes right ventricular failure). The most serious consequence of untimely treatment is sudden death.
Is it worth getting rid of snoring?
Many people believe that snoring is a normal physiological process of our body, and few people with such a problem turn to specialists for help.
Today, doctors began to pay more attention to this. The fact is that in recent years, specialists in this area have carried out a lot of scientific research and experiments. As it turned out, snoring is not a harmless process in the body. Not only does it bring some discomfort to others, it also negatively affects the work of the nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Therefore, it is very important to deal with this issue in time.
Snoring cannot be called an independent disease. This is a very important sign that indicates that it is very difficult for air to pass through the upper respiratory tract at the moment when a person is sleeping.
Painful enlargement of the lymphadenoid pharyngeal rings, abnormal structure of the nasal septum, inflammatory and allergic processes in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, swelling of the soft palate and lingual root can cause snoring.
Fibro-endoscopic examination indicates the fact that most often snoring occurs due to obstruction – insufficient patency in the palatopharyngeal velopharyngeal sphincter.
Indications and contraindications uvulotomies
Doctors prescribe the removal of a process on the soft palate if it provokes:
- sleep apnea syndrome of an obstructive nature of moderate or severe degree (during sleep, ventilation in the patient’s lungs stops for more than ten seconds);
- obstructive sleep apnea of the initial stage, which causes minor snoring during sleep;
- snoring of varying intensity, which is not caused by obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
As a rule, doctors remove not only the process, but also perform plastic surgery of the soft palate. This operation is called uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. Therefore, uvulotomy can be considered a full-fledged surgical intervention. If the situation is severe enough, then doctors additionally prescribe septoplasty (elimination of the curvature of the nasal septum), lower conchotomy (removal of the lower part of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity), removal of tubal tonsils.
Contraindications include: chronic diseases in the period of exacerbation; severe concomitant pathological processes; poor blood clotting process. Concomitant pathological processes include diseases that, with the joint removal of the uvula, can lead to serious complications. By and large, all contraindications are relative, because the benefits of the operation are much greater. Therefore, if you properly prepare for the operation and adhere to all medical recommendations, then almost all patients can remove uvulae.
How to prepare for the operation?
Before prescribing a uvulotomy, the patient must undergo a complete diagnosis by a somnologist. He prescribes specific tests and examinations. A decisive and more informative study is polysomnography. With the help of it, the doctor examines the organs of the respiratory system during sleep.
Thus, a specialist can measure the frequency and depth of breathing, determine the saturation of the blood with oxygen.
In addition to polysomnography, the somnologist prescribes an electrocardiogram and electroencephalography. Right before the operation, computed tomography and endoscopy are necessary.
How is snoring treated?
In medical practice, there are four main types of uvulotomy. Traditional. During the operation, doctors use a scalpel. It is they who excise the palatine uvula. Sutures are placed on the mucous membrane damaged during the operation, which should resolve themselves over time. But it is still necessary to be observed by the attending physician for the first time in order to avoid serious consequences.
Laser removal of snoring. This technique is considered bloodless. Laser beams make small incisions that are immediately scarred. Thus, the configuration of the soft palate changes. Removal of the palatine processes using radio waves. The procedure is carried out in the same way as the traditional one, only instead of a scalpel, doctors use radio waves. Liquid nitrogen as a way to treat snoring. Liquid nitrogen has a very low temperature, approximately -196 degrees. As a result, the process instantly freezes and disappears.
Each method is good in its own way. There are both advantages and disadvantages. Naturally, doctors prefer laser or radio wave treatment, as they have the least negative consequences and a quick recovery period. In any case, the method of removing the palatine process is chosen exclusively by the doctor based on the results of an additional study. There are cases when the treatment of snoring leads to complications. For example, conventional therapy may result in bleeding.
During the implementation of each of the techniques, the patient’s voice timbre may change, a nasal sound appears in the voice. It happens that after a large number of procedures, the patient has difficulty swallowing.
90 percent of the positive result can be expected from the treatment of snoring surgically. However, if the patient has contraindications or surgical treatment has not been effective, then doctors resort to conservative therapy.