There is a new technique being applied to a sleep apnea surgery procedure that now involves minimally invasive surgery. This new technique is called the pillar procedure.
The pillar procedure promises to cure snoring and reduce sleep apnea problems without undergoing invasive and radical surgery. The treatment was approved by the FDA back in 2004 but the pillar procedure technique uses small implants to stiffen the soft palate in snorers.
The technique is relatively new with a reported 30 thousand snorers having the procedure done worldwide. To see if the pillar procedure is available in your area contact your ear nose and throat specialist.
The Pillar Procedure is a new FDA approved office procedure to treat primarily snoring disorders and select cases of sleep apnea.
The most common source of snoring is from the fluttering of the soft palate which is the soft part of the top of the mouth. Often the uvula which is hanging tissue at the back of the throat will also flutter causing the snoring or increasing the sound intensity.
This technique lessens the incidences of snoring by stiffening the soft palate thereby reducing the vibration of the soft palate.
This new technique is done in an outpatient setting, often right in the physician’s office, typically in less than one hour under local anesthesia. The doctor will “freeze” your throat using sprays, gels, and Lidocaine. Then three small “pillar” implants which are about 2 mm in diameter are placed inside the soft palate to cause scarring to stiffen the palate. As the implants stimulate scarring, the soft palate will stiffen resulting in continued reduction of snoring for 4-6 weeks.
Since the procedure is done in an outpatient setting, recovery is much quicker and with less discomfort than other sleep apnea surgery procedures. Pain after the surgery varies widely depending on individual tolerances and personalities. Generally speaking, on average a person should anticipate soreness in the area for a few days after the procedure.
Is This Procedure Right For You?
Ask your ENR specialist or physician. You can’t determine the proper answer just from information that you read here or anywhere else. Only a licensed physician can determine if the pillar procedure is appropriate for your individual situation. The procedure was developed for people who are “palatal” snorers with small tonsils and a favorable tongue position. These factors can only be determined after a proper assessment and physical exam during your visit to a physician. If you have severe sleep apnea, this technique may not be recommended.
Does It Work?
Current studies vary. It is reported that in general 70-90% of patients or their partners were satisfied with the reduction of snoring. Long-term studies are currently still being conducted and results compiled. Remember, the pillar procedure is a relatively new procedure.
This new procedure has many advantages compared to standard sleep apnea surgery and other snoring surgical treatments.
- It is minimally invasive
- Performed under local anesthesia
- It is performed in an outpatient setting (less disruption to your schedule)
- It is a less painful procedure and recovery is also faster
The Pillar Procedure is the latest and greatest procedure aimed at treating snoring and various degrees of sleep apnea.
