A uvulotomy, staphylotomy, or uvulectomy is any cutting operation performed on the uvula.Biology Online.
The procedure was performed in European medieval medicine. The Norwegian Eiríkr Hákonarson bled to death following such an operation.Finlay 2004, p. 133.
Uvulotomy is employed as folk medicine in some countries including Tigray.Ethnomed. 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. 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.Oommen 1988, p. 18. See uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.
Its CPT 2009 code is "42140, Uvulectomy".
References
Finlay, Alison (editor and translator) (2004). Fagrskinna, a Catalogue of the Kings of Norway. Brill Academic Publishers. Mathew, Oommen P. et al. (1988). Respiratory Function of the Upper Airway'. Marcel Dekker. Uvulotomy Biology Online entry Tigrean Cultural Profile EthnoMed article