Extended follow-up of palatal implants for OSA treatment.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate long-term safety and outcomes of palatal implants for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).


METHODS
Continuation of a prospective case series of patients with palatal implants. Polysomnography, daytime sleepiness, and snoring intensity were measured at baseline, 90 days, and extended follow-up.


RESULTS
Twenty-two (42%) patients from the previous study were followed for a median of 435.5 days. Thirteen were classified as responders, based on their 90-day evaluation. 76.9% of initial responders maintained improvements in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), daytime sleepiness, and snoring at extended follow-up. Nine patients were initial nonresponders for AHI and daytime sleepiness and remained unchanged at extended follow-up. However, snoring for these nine patients initially improved, and the improvement continued through extended follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Initial response or nonresponse to palatal implants remains stable over an extended period. The generalizability of these results is unknown because of significant loss to follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Study results report safety and beneficial long-term outcomes of palatal implants for mild to moderate OSA treatment in selected patients.
Walker
Regina P
RP
Department of Otolaryngology, Loyola University Medical Center, Hinsdale, IL, USA. rpwsnorenomore@aol.com
Levine
Howard L
HL
Hopp
Martin L
ML
Greene
David
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010160:Palate, Soft; D017286:Polysomnography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000502:physiology; D012913:Snoring / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome