Palatal Pillar implants for the treatment of simple snoring.
OBJECTIVE
In this study the efficacy of palatal implants for treatment of snoring was evaluated.


METHODS
Seventeen patients (10 males, 7 females; mean age 49.2+/-7.8 years; range 31 to 66 years) with primary snoring and an apnea-hypopnea index of less than 15 were treated with palatal implants after clinical and endoscopic examination. Snoring-related symptoms were evaluated at baseline and 90 days after surgery and polysomnography was performed. Patients and their spouses completed questionnaires and visual analog scales (VAS) evaluating snoring, apneas, and the intensity, duration, and social effects of daytime sleepiness at baseline and 90 days after surgery. Pre- and postoperative assessment results were compared.


RESULTS
Epworth sleepiness scale score was significantly decreased in the postoperative period (p<0.05). Postoperative mean VAS snoring, apnea, and daytime sleepiness scores were also significantly improved (p<0.01). No patients reported worsening of apnea, 5.9% of patients reported no change in apnea, and 94.1% of patients reported a marked decrease in apneas. In the postoperative period, 76.4% of patients reported reduced snoring, and 88.3% of patients reported reduced daytime sleepiness.


CONCLUSIONS
Palatal implants have been demonstrated to be a safe and effective treatment for snoring with minimal patient discomfort. Establishing realistic pretreatment expectations can maximize patient satisfaction.
Sezen
Ozan Seymen
OS
Department of 1st Otolaryngology, Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kirdar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. ozansezen@yahoo.com
Kaytanci
Hande
H
Salepçi
Banu
B
Yurteri
Gülfem
G
Kubilay
Utku
U
Coşkuner
Temel
T
Cağlayan
Benan
B
Unver
Seref
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001049:Apnea / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010159:Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017286:Polysomnography; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012913:Snoring / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires