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    This article has been cited by the following publications. This list is generated based on data provided by CrossRef.
    Sawe, H. R. Mfinanga, J. A. Ringo, F. H. Mwafongo, V. Reynolds, T. A. and Runyon, M. S. 2015. Morbidity and Mortality following Traditional Uvulectomy among Children Presenting to the Muhimbili National Hospital Emergency Department in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Emergency Medicine International, Vol. 2015, Issue. , p. 1.
    Barzangi, Jir Unell, Lennart Söderfeldt, Björn Bond, Jasmin Ahmed Musse, Ifrah and Arnrup, Kristina 2014. Infant dental enucleation in an East African population in Sweden: a cross-sectional study on dental records. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, Vol. 24, Issue. 3, p. 209.
    Adoga, Adeyi A. and Nimkur, Tonga L. 2011. The Traditionally Amputated Uvula amongst Nigerians: Still an Ongoing Practice. ISRN Otolaryngology, Vol. 2011, Issue. , p. 1.
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‘A good shepherd, but with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome’: traditional uvulectomy case series and literature review

  • M J L Ravesloot (a1) and N de Vries (a1)
Abstract
Background:

In the West, removal of the uvula is predominantly undertaken as part of palatal surgery, in cases of obstructive sleep apnoea. In the developing world, such as the Middle East and Africa, uvulectomy is a more common practice. The uvula is removed for curative or preventive purposes, or as part of ritual practice. Due to immigration from developing to developed world countries, and to Western doctors working abroad, such doctors are increasingly being confronted with unfamiliar traditional healing practices, within a medical context.

Methods:

The Medline and Embase online databases were systematically searched for literature on traditional uvulectomy. We present a review of this literature. We also present the first report, to our best knowledge, of obstructive sleep apnoea as a late complication of traditional uvulectomy.

Discussion:

Traditional uvulectomy may be complicated by post-operative haemorrhage and local infections, among many other problems. We report cases of obstructive sleep apnoea and snoring caused by palatal stenosis resulting from traditional uvulectomy during childhood.

Copyright
COPYRIGHT: © JLO (1984) Limited 2011
Corresponding author
Address for correspondence: Dr M J L Ravesloot, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, St Lucas Andreas Hospital, Jan Tooropstraat 164, 1061 AE Amsterdam, The Netherlands Fax: +31 (0)20 6899126 E-mail: m.ravesloot@slaz.nl
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