Soft palate implants for the treatment of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the initial short-term effectiveness of palatal implants in treating patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Previous published studies have focused on snoring without OSA.


METHODS
A prospective, nonrandomized study of 25 previously untreated patients with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 10 to 30 and a body mass index (BMI) of <or=30. Three permanent implants (Pillar; Restore Medical, St Paul, MN) were placed in the soft palate of each patient with a specially designed delivery tool in an office setting under local anesthesia after a formal polysomnography. A repeat polysomnography was obtained after 90 days.


RESULTS
The AHI was reduced from a mean of 16.2 to a mean of 12.1 (P < 0.05) for the study group. Twenty of 25 patients (80%) experienced a decrease in the AHI. Twelve of 25 patients (48%) showed a post-90-day implant AHI of 10 or less, a benchmark for the possible cessation of continuous positive airway pressure therapy. The Epworth Sleepiness Score decreased from 9.7 to 5.5 (P < 0.001) and the visual analog Scale of snoring intensity reported by bed partners decreased from 8.4 to 4.3 (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The palatal implant method can significantly improve AHI and other sleep-related parameters in patients with mild to moderate OSA and a BMI of <or=30. Short-term results are comparative to those reported for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty but achieved in a low-cost, single-stage, outpatient office setting with low morbidity.


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
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D017286:Polysomnography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates