Uvulotomy

A uvulotomy or staphylotomy 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 in folk medicine in Tigray.^[3]

In the 19th century uvulotomy came to be used as a treatment for snoring.^[4] See uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.

Its CPT 2009 code is "42140, Uvulectomy".

• Finlay, Alison (editor and translator) (2004). Fagrskinna, a Catalogue of the Kings of Norway. Brill Academic Publishers. ISBN 90-04-13172-8
• Mathew, Oommen P. et al. (1988). Respiratory Function of the Upper Airway'. Marcel Dekker. ISBN 0-8247-7802-2
• Uvulotomy Biology Online entry
• Tigrean Cultural Profile EthnoMed article