Palatal implants: a new approach for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the short-term safety and efficacy of palatal implants in patients with mild and moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).


METHODS
A prospective, non-randomized study conducted at 5 clinical sites. Three polyester implants were placed in the soft palate under local anesthesia during a single-stage office procedure. Polysomnography was conducted at baseline and 90 days post-procedure. Subjective quality of life data were collected.


RESULTS
Fifty-three patients were evaluated; the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) decreased from 25.0 +/- 13.9 to 22.0 +/- 14.8 events/hour (P = 0.05). The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) decreased from 11.0 +/- 5.1 to 6.9 +/- 4.5 (P < 0.001), and the snore score decreased from 7.9 +/- 2.1 to 4.0 +/- 3.0 (P < 0.001). No serious complications occurred during the study.


CONCLUSIONS
Palatal implants can be an effective initial low morbidity treatment option for patients diagnosed with mild to moderate OSA.
Walker
Regina P
RP
Department of Otolaryngology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA. rwalke2@lumc.edu
Levine
Howard L
HL
Hopp
Martin L
ML
Greene
David
D
Pang
Kenny
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000601:surgery*