Sleep Apnea Treatment
The Pillar® Procedure
The Pillar® is a simple, minimally invasive, palatal implant used to treat snoring and mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) when combined with other soft palate procedures in our practice. The Pillar Procedure addresses the anatomical contributor to snoring, the redundant soft palate. In clinical studies, the Pillar Procedure achieved clinically reductions in snoring intensity and an increase in bed partner satisfaction. For mild to moderate OSA, reductions were also seen in Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scores but not enough for patients to stop using their Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. Recent Clinical trials demonstrate that soft palatal procedures such as Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) or Laser Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) when combined with the Pillar procedure can produce reduction of mild to moderated OSA. Some patients will still need to use there CPAP after this combined procedure.
How the Pillar® Procedure works
The Pillar Procedure is performed during a single, short office visit under local anesthesia lasting approximately 30 minutes with most patients resuming soft or liquid diet the same day. Most patients experience less pain and shorter recovery time. During the Pillar Procedure, three tiny woven polyester implants are placed into the muscle located at the junction of the hard and soft palate. These Pillar palatal implants, together with the body's natural fibrotic response, add structural support and stiffen the soft palate, thereby minimizing or eliminating the palatal tissue vibration that can cause snoring.
Complications
- Infection
- Poor positioning of the implant
- Extrusion of the implant
- Failure
- Indications For Use
Indications For Use
The Pillar procedure is indicated for use in a) the reduction of symptomatic, habitual or social snoring caused by a flutter of tissue in the soft palate, and/or b) upper airway obstruction in patients with mild to moderate OSA when combined with other soft palate surgical procedures. Patient selection is the most important factor in achieving a desirable outcome. The Pillar procedure is a minimally invasive implant that is used to stiffen the soft palate tissue to reduce the flutter that causes snoring and/or palatal obstruction of the upper airway. The Pillar Procedure could be used concomitantly with other soft palate procedures for better results such as UPPP or LAUP. Also patients whom have had soft palatal procedures without much significant change could be a candidate for the Pillar Procedure as well. Some patients after the combined procedure will experience reduction of their OSA but still need to continue use of their CPAP machine.