Palatal implants for the treatment of snoring: long-term results.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and long-term effectiveness of a new treatment for snoring using permanent palatal implants.


METHODS
Prospective study with 35 patients referred to the clinic for the treatment of snoring. The patients were followed for 1 year, and a sleep analysis was performed and repeated at 360 days. During the procedure, 3 braided polyethylene terephthalate implants were placed in the palate of each patient.


RESULTS
The average duration for nonnarcotic analgesics was 1.3 days. No adverse events were observed. The mean snoring intensity was reduced from 7.1 at baseline to 4.8 at 1 year (P < 0.001). Bed partner satisfaction rate was very high at 70.6% after 1 year. Six patients (17.8%) experienced a total of 9 partial extrusions.


CONCLUSIONS
The palatal implant system is safe, and the effectiveness in treating snoring is comparable to other surgical methods. Advantages are virtually no tissue damage and minimal patient discomfort as a result of one standardized, low-cost procedure.


METHODS
C-4.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, St Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. stale.nordgard@medisin.ntnu.no
Ståle
S
Nordgård
Brit Kari
BK
Stene
Ketil Wichman
KW
Skjøstad
Vegard
V
Bugten
Kjell
K
Wormdal
Nina Vanvik
NV
Hansen
Ann Helen
AH
Nilsen
Tove Helen
TH
Midtlyng
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D012913:Snoring / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates