Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a procedure that is most often used to treat sleep apnea. The surgery widens the airway in the throat by removing excess tissue that may obstruct your breathing, including the uvula (the tissue that hangs down in the back of your throat, the roof of the mouth, or the tonsils.

A UPPP requires an overnight stay in the hospital and pain from the procedure could last up to a week. Following the surgery, your ENT will most likely recommend that you use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine at night to ensure that you breathe easier while you sleep.