My son who is now 5 yrs old was born with a double uvula. (uvula is the small fleshy thing that hangs at the back of the throat). His double uvula doesn't cause him any problems, he eat well, sleeps well and besides a very active child. The only problem is that some people say his has nasal speech, I frankly can't hear that, maybe because I'm used to him.

We once brought him to a maxiofacial surgeon who said that a simple surgery can be done to correct it. This coming Friday he will undergo surgery.

Now for who knows about this please help me with these questions.

1. do they unlock the lower jaw bone to perform this sugery because I've heard that once you unlock the jaw is doesn't come back as stable as before.

2. is it safe for a child of 5 yrs to undergo anaestetics?

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Worried father.

I was born with a double uvula, almost 45 years ago. I have never had any problems whatsoever, including with my speech. My grandfather also had a double uvula. He lived well into his 70s with no problems. Many children need help with their speech and it has nothing at all to do with their uvulas. I believe that doctors invent reasons to do surgery. Since this was written years ago, I can only hope, for your son's sake, that no problems arose from this unnecessary surgery. Or even better, you got a second opinion that prevented you from letting your son undergo this surgery. Either way, I hope all is well.

I also have had the same thing for 33 years with no problems and in fact don't snore like my father or brother from it and it has always been something fascinating to friends as well.