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Why it's done
By Mayo Clinic staffThe Pillar procedure is done to:
- Relieve snoring
- Relieve symptoms of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea
As you sleep, the muscles in the fleshy portion at the back of your mouth (soft palate), tongue and throat relax. These tissues can relax enough that they vibrate, causing snoring. They may relax so much they block your airway, causing you to stop breathing or to breathe shallowly many times a night — a condition called obstructive sleep apnea.
Snoring can be a nuisance to you and your bed partner, interfering with sleep. Snoring also can be an indication of obstructive sleep apnea, which is a more serious disorder. Obstructive sleep apnea can cause sudden drops in the amount of oxygen in your blood many times during the night, which has been linked to serious health problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
The Pillar procedure involves stiffening your soft palate by surgically placing small rods in it. This reduces vibration and relaxation of the soft palatal tissue. The Pillar procedure is effective in some people to treat both snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. It doesn't work for everyone, however, particularly those who are seriously overweight or obese. Some people still have some sleep apnea after the procedure, which may warrant other treatment, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
The Pillar procedure is not recommended for severe obstructive sleep apnea or other types of sleep apnea. If you have obstructive sleep apnea or if you snore, see an ear, nose and throat (ENT) or sleep medicine specialist. He or she can evaluate your situation to determine whether fluttering of your soft palate while you sleep is likely the main source of the problem and whether the Pillar procedure is an option for you.
- Walker RP, et al. Extended follow-up of palatal implants for OSA treatment. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 2007;137:822.
- Catalano P, et al. Additional palatal implants for refractory snoring. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 2007;137:105
- Nordgard S, et al. Soft palate implants for the treatment of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 2006;134:565.
- Nordgard S, et al. Palatal implants: A new method for the treatment of snoring. Acta Otolaryngol. 2004;124:970.
- Sleep apnea. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_All.html. Accessed Jan. 27, 2009.
