The Pillar Procedure
treats the soft palate — the most common cause of snoring
and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Pillar Procedure is
relatively painless and can be performed in a doctor's
office in approximately 20 minutes, using only local
anesthetic. The Pillar Procedure does not require the
removal of any soft palate tissue. Patients cannot see or
feel the Pillar implants, nor do they interfere with
swallowing or speech. Many patients resume normal diet and
activities the same day of the procedure.
The Pillar Procedure Experience
During the Pillar Procedure, tiny woven
implants are placed into the muscle of
the soft palate using a specially designed, single use,
sterile delivery tool. Each tiny, highly engineered and
precisely woven Pillar implant is approximately
18 mm (0.7 inches) in length and has an outer
diameter of approximately 2 mm (0.08 inches). The implants
are woven from a polyester material that has been used for
more than 50 years in implantable medical products.
Over time the implants, together with the
body's natural fibrotic response, add structural support to
and stiffen the soft palate. This structural support and
stiffening reduces the tissue vibration that can cause
snoring and the palatal tissue collapse that can obstruct
the upper airway and cause obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Some patients report a noticeable
improvement within weeks, while others may take 8 to 12
weeks to realize the full benefit of the Pillar Procedure.
Effectiveness
As of December 2007, more than 30,000 people
worldwide have been treated with the Pillar Procedure.
Clinical studies of the Pillar Procedure have shown that:
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Patients experienced a significant decrease in snoring
intensity.1,2
-
Bed
partner satisfaction with the reduction in snoring after
the Pillar Procedure has been documented at 80% or
higher.1,2
-
Approximately 80% of patients demonstrated a reduction
in their AHI, and results were sustained at one year
after the Pillar Procedure.3 Patients
experienced less daytime sleepiness and significant
improvements in lifestyle
after the Pillar Procedure.
1. Maurer JT, Verse T, Stuck BA, Hörmann K, Hein G. Palatal
Implants for Primary Snoring: Short-Term Results of a New
Minimally Invasive Surgical Technique. Otolaryngology-HNS
2005 Jan; 132(1):125-31.
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2. Maurer JT, Verse T, Stuck BA, Hörmann K, Hein G.
Long-Term Results of the Pillar Palatal Implant System for
Primary Snoring. Otolaryngology-HNS 2005 Oct;
133(4):573-8.
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3. Goessler UR, Hein G. Verste T, Stuck BA, Hörmann K,
Maurer JT. Soft palate implants as a minimally invasive
treatment for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
Acta Otolaryngol. 2007 May; 127(5):527-31.
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