Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is an operation done to control snoring. It involves trimming the soft palate and uvula often associated with removing the tonsils if they are still present.

It is done under general anaesthetic and the cutting implement used is often a carbon dioxide laser as this has been shown to marginally reduce the pain associated with this procedure.

The operation takes one hour of operating time and is usually associated with two days of hospitalisation, essentially for pain control. During the two days of hospitalisation patients are given what is called Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) to facilitate pain control and to get them eating and drinking as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

Most of the UPPP performed by A/Prof Havas are at St Luke’s Hospital, Potts Point, which has particular expertise in all surgeries related to snoring and sleep apnoea.