Injection snoreplasty: how to treat snoring without all the pain and expense.
OBJECTIVE
We introduce Injection Snoreplasty: an innovative, safe, and effective palatal snoring procedure with minimal cost and discomfort to the patient. A well-described sclerotherapy agent, Sotradecol, is injected into the soft palate to reduce/eliminate palatal flutter snoring.


METHODS
Twenty-seven patients with a diagnosis of palatal flutter snoring (respiratory disturbance index less than 10) by sleep study were enrolled in the protocol. Office treatment sessions were performed 6 to 8 weeks apart. Success was judged by subjective improvement in snoring and objective evidence of palatal stiffening/scarring.


RESULTS
Twenty-five (92%) of 27 patients reported significant decrease in snoring. There were no significant postinjection complications. Visual analog pain scale confirmed minimal discomfort. Most patients received more than 1 treatment (average, 1.8) in order to receive optimal palatal stiffening.


CONCLUSIONS
Injection Snoreplasty is a simple, safe, and effective office treatment for primary snoring. Advantages over current snoring procedures include simplicity, low cost, decreased posttreatment pain levels, and minimal/no convalescence.
Brietzke
S E
SE
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307, USA.
Mair
E A
EA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012913:Snoring / Q000628:therapy*; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate