J Rhinol.  2009 May;16(1):26-30.

Musculus Uvulae Shortening for the Treatment of Snoring

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University, Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea. rhico@yonsei.ac.kr

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
We investigated the effectiveness of shortening the uvula muscle for the treatment of snoring. This new and simple procedure was developed to promote the elevation of the uvula position using a minimally invasive technique.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Fifteen habitual snorers were included in this study. In order to find the exact anatomical position of the uvula muscle, we first dissected the soft palate of a cadaver to better understand the exact anatomical location and structure of the uvula muscle. With this result, we developed a new surgical technique for treating snoring. The results of our surgery were evaluated by both the patient and bed partner before surgery, at 30 days, and 90 days after surgery respectively using the visual analogue scale (VAS).
RESULTS
Post-operative physical examinations showed superiorly displaced uvula position. The lower half of the soft palate and uvula were also anteriorly flexed. Those findings remained unaltered beyond the 90th post-operative day. The patient and bed partner snoring symptoms assessed by VAS were significantly improved compared to the pre-treatment values (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The uvula muscle shortening is an effective and simple method for the treatment of snoring.

Keyword

Uvula muscle; Soft palate; Snoring; Visual analogue scale

MeSH Terms

Cadaver
Humans
Muscles
Palate, Soft
Physical Examination
Snoring
Uvula
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