Mucus in Back of Nose/Throat After UPPP or Uvula Removal

I have recently seen a rash of patients who have a presenting symptom of a sense of mucus or phlegm buildup in the back of the mouth/nose right behind the soft palate after surgery involving uvula removal. Such surgery may include the uvula alone or UPPP (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) for obstructive sleep apnea.

Often in these cases, this problem with mucus and phlegm is due to a very small velopharyngeal insufficiency. This is a rare problem where there is a small opening between the palate and nose when swallowing causing a little bit of saliva to "regurgitate" into the nose. If the opening is very large, liquids and even food will come out the nose when swallowing. If it is very small, mucus/phlegmy sensation will be present localized to the area right behind the soft palate.

This problem, if present, can be corrected by a simple procedure called nasopharyngoplasty.

If you have this problem, call our office (540-347-0505) to schedule an evaluation!

New Webpage on the Phlegmy Throat!

A new webpage has been created to inform patients on the various causes of the phlegmy throat as well as treatment. The phlegmy throat is also described as a constant sensation of mucus in the throat leading some patients to also complain of constant throat-clearing, cough, and globus sensation.

Check it out here!

New Treatment Options for Non-Acidic Reflux (LPR)?

It just came to my attention through anecdotal reports that there may be two additional options to treat non-acidic laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) causing symptoms of:

• Hoarseness
• Throat clearing
• Phlegmy throat
• Cough
• Globus (sense of swelling in the throat)

Non-acidic reflux is different from the more widely known acid reflux in that traditional medications such as prilosec, zantac, pepcid, etc do not help. Non-acidic reflux basically is when gastric secretions without acid refluxes up into the esophagus to as far as one's voicebox causing symptoms listed above. Heartburn does not occur.

Traditional treatments for non-acidic reflux include the medication reglan (which has gone out of favor) and gaviscon as well as the surgical option Nissen fundoplication. However, there are now anecdotal reports that the medication robinul forte may be helpful by decreasing the overall amount of secretions the stomach produces as well as less invasive procedures called Esophyx performed endoscopically without skin incisions.

Read more about reflux here.