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Pillar Implants & Snoring |
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Friedman, presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology Annual Meeting
Overview
This study looked at 62 patients with snoring selected to receive Pillar Implants and followed them over 3 years. This was a double-blinded placebo controlled study using a visual analog scale to report results. This means that there were 2 groups of patients. One group received the implants, the other group received the same procedure to insert the implant but no implant was used. Neither the patients nor the surgeon knew if they got the implants or not.
Reported 68% of patients have at least a 50% reduction in snoring that was sustained for over 3 years.
My Take:
This study has the highest level of evidence and is very reliable. The snoring was scored by a visual analog scale meaning patients ranked their own snoring but the design of the study makes sure this isn’t just a placebo effect. These results are valid and this study is the reason why I have chosen to offer pillar implants as a treatment option for primary snoring.
To put it simply:
If you snore (without sleep apnea) and have the appropriate anatomy (based on the office examination) for the pillar procedure, there is a 70% chance your snoring will greatly improve.
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