Uvulotomy
Surgical removal of the uvula
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A uvulotomy, staphylotomy, or uvulectomy is any cutting operation performed on the uvula.[1]
The procedure was performed in European medieval medicine. The Norwegian Eiríkr Hákonarson bled to death following such an operation.[2]
Uvulotomy is employed as folk medicine in some countries including Tigray.[3] It is sometimes part of a naming ceremony, most commonly in Niger, but also sometimes in Israel, and the Maghreb region. On the child's 7th day the uvula is removed in a religious ritual.[4] This practice is called "traditional uvulectomy" to distinguish it from medical treatment.
In the 20th century uvulotomy came to be used as a treatment for snoring.[5][6] See uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.
Its CPT 2009 code is "42140, Uvulectomy".