Minimally invasive office treatment treats snoring and sleep apnea.

New Palatal Implants get FDA approval.

Palatal implants have been performed by the physicians at Advanced Ear Nose & Throat Associates since 2004. Palatal implants were previously FDA approved for the treatment of snoring and have now been approved for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. While other office based minimally invasive procedures have been approved for the treatment of snoring only , this is the only procedure to be approved for treating sleep apnea and snoring. There have been several published studies from European researchers showing the benefits of Palatal Implants on snoring. At the American Academy of Otolaryngology Annual meeting in Toronto (10/2006), several additional research studies performed in the United States, have shown improvements of sleep apnea based on testing with sleep studies.

The Palatal Implant procedure takes about 15 minutes and can be performed either in the office under local anesthesia or in the operating room under general anesthesia. Most patients have a mild sore throat lasting for 3-4 days after treatment. The procedure involves the implantation of three braided segments of polyester filaments into the soft palate. Scar tissue grows into the fibers over several weeks, leading to stiffening of the palate and a reduction in snoring and apnea.

The success rate of the procedure depends on patient selection. The best candidates are those with a long, thick soft palate, no significant nasal obstruction, a normal uvula length and no narrowing in the lower part of the airway. In this type of patient, the reported success rate for snoring ranges from 65-85%. Complications are rare but may include bleeding, infection, altered sensation in the throat, altered swallowing or voice, a palatal fistula, and extrusion of the implant.

According to Dr. Andrew Golde, "The Palatal Implant procedure is one of four minimally invasive treatments for snoring, which are offered at Advanced Ear Nose & Throat Associates. The other alternatives include Injection Snoreplasty, Somnoplasty (RF treatment of the palate), and Laser Assisted Uvulo-Palatoplasty (LAUP). We decide which procedure would be best for each patient based on the person’s throat anatomy and results of a sleep study". "However, for patients who come to us from afar, the implant procedure is usually the preferred approach, as it is done in only one treatment session and with minimal pain", says Dr. Sam Mickelson.