A surgical technique for treating a severe obstructive sleep apnea, in which the airway at the back of the throat is widened by the removal of excess soft tissue including the uvula, tonsils, and part of the soft palate: Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is a medical operation that is done to help people with severe breathing problems while sleeping or with significant snoring problems, however it does not always result in a cure.

These uvulopalatopharyngoplasties are usually done by using laser treatments.