Snoring surgery treatments

Here at The London Clinic, we offer three different forms of snoring surgery:

Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP)

Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is typically performed in milder cases of snoring. 

Your surgeon will use a laser to make cuts (incisions) on portions of your soft palate and may also remove your uvula. 

These incisions are usually done over time rather than in a single procedure.

LAUP is performed with a local anaesthetic so you can go home straight afterwards. In most cases, LAUP will require three to five treatments around four to six weeks apart.ENT specialists at The London Clinic perform LAUP in order to:

• Decrease the size of your uvula
• Lessen the loudness of snoring
• Reduce uvula vibration during breathing
• Manage mild to moderate sleep apnoea

 Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is usually performed in more severe cases of snoring. 

Using surgical instruments, your surgeon will remove parts of your throat tissue including your tonsils and uvula.

They may cut away parts of your tongue and soft palate. Since UPPP is performed while you’re asleep (under general anaesthetic), you’ll need to stay in hospital to recover for at least one to two nights afterwards.
 

ENT specialists at The London Clinic perform UPPP to treat:

• An enlarged or elongated uvula
• Excess soft tissue in the palate and throat
• Loud snoring caused by uvula and soft tissue vibrations

Tonsillectomy

If your snoring is caused by enlarged tonsils or adenoids, these can be removed in an operation called a tonsillectomy. 

Your surgeon will discuss this with you as this operation may be performed at the same time as the UPPP.

To recover from snoring surgery treatments, you will be taken into our dedicated recovery area, where the expert theatre staff will be on hand to monitor you as you wake up.

For shorter procedures you can go home on the same day. For longer or more complex procedures you’ll need to stay in for a day or two.

Your care team will advise you about your recovery and arrange a follow-up to assess your progress.It’s essential to take time to rest and recover. 

Avoid work, exercise, hot baths, and bending down for around two weeks. 

It is also sensible to avoid crowds because getting a cold can increase the risk of infection. After this time, you can gradually get back to your normal activities.

Your surgeon and the team at The London Clinic are always available to offer support and guidance. 

We will be a helping hand during your recovery.

Snoring surgery treatments can be more effective than non-surgical treatments. 

Using surgery, The London Clinic’s ENT team will remove tissue in your throat. 

With less tissue, you have a wider airway, which means that the vibrations in your throat will decrease and your snoring will be less pronounced.

Any form of surgery only occurs after a thorough ENT assessment by a specialist consultant at The London Clinic.

In most cases snoring surgery, such as LAUP, doesn’t have many side effects apart from a sore throat, so you can continue life as normal straight after treatment. 

LAUP provides results with less discomfort than traditional uvula removal surgery (UPPP).

In contrast, UPPP is a more invasive type of surgery. The pain may be more pronounced and recovery will take longer – usually around two weeks. 

However, the advantage of UPPP is that it can be done all at once with no need for repeat treatments.