Palatal implants: a new method for the treatment of snoring.

Objective: To evaluate the safety, feasibility and effectiveness of a treatment for snoring using permanent palatal implants.

Material And Methods: This was a prospective, non-randomized study involving 35 healthy patients (26 males, 9 females) referred for treatment of habitual snoring. A baseline medical examination, an evaluation of snoring-related subjective symptoms and an overnight sleep analysis were performed. Three PET implants were placed in the palate of each patient using a new delivery device under local anaesthesia. The patients were followed by means of office visits at 2-3, 14, 30 and 90 days postoperatively, at which discomfort, pain, adverse events and changes in snoring-related parameters were recorded.

Results: The average time required for the procedure was 8 min; 23% of the patients required no postoperative analgesia; the average consumption of analgesic was 125 mg of diclofenac and the average duration of analgesia was 1.5 days after the procedure. No bleeding, haematoma or infection were observed. Two of the implants were extruded; both of these patients experienced a satisfactory reduction in snoring intensity and no replacements were necessary. The mean reduction in snoring intensity was 51%, with the visual analogue scale score evaluated by the bed partner falling from 7.3 to 3.6 (p<0.001). The Epworth Sleepiness Score dropped from 9.3 to 4.6 (p<0.001). In total, 86% of the bed partners and 89% of the patients recommended the procedure.

Conclusion: The new palatal implant system is safe and is associated with low morbidity. It is a fast, simple and effective treatment for snoring.