Uvula in Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: An Approach to Surgical Intervention

Abstract

Objective: Currently, the consideration of the enlarged uvula as a cause of snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) lacks data for objective interpretation. A uvula was often considered enlarged (i.e., longer, wider) if its length exceeded 15 mm or width exceeded 10 mm. This article focused on some concepts on how we can manage the enlarged uvula in cases of snoring and OSA. The purpose of the present article is to discuss the cost benefits of uvular surgery versus its preservation.

Conclusion: The direct correlation between the uvula and OSA needs to be reevaluated to maintain a balance between reserving its anatomical and physiological functions and surgically manipulating it as a part of palatopharyngeal surgery, yet further objective studies are needed to reach optimal results.