This prospective Belgian study looked at the benefits of barbed reposition pharyngoplasty in the management of patients with isolated unilevel palatal snoring. This technique involves using a barbed suture and repositioning the palatopharyngeal muscle in a more lateral and anterior position. The authors specifically looked at patients with snoring as opposed to OSA and used a snoring questionnaire and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), as opposed to AHI, to determine success of treatment. There was a total of 16 patients included in the study. The mean snoring score measured 8.5±1.5 out of 10 preoperatively and went significantly down to 3.6±2.0 at six months, which was the end of the follow-up period for this study. There were similar significant reductions in snoring intensity (8.1±2.0 out of 10 down to 3.5±2.1) and snoring severity (7.0±1.5 out of 9 down to 3.1±1.7). There was a reduction in mean ESS score from 6.7±4.2 out of 24 down to 4.9±5.0 but this was not statistically significant (p=0.087). The main postoperative complaint was pain. Five patients (31%) had a barb suture loop showing through the palatal mucosa which needed to be cut in the outpatient setting. The authors suggest that the barbed reposition pharyngoplasty technique can be used for patients with simple snoring and is effective, however further studies with larger numbers and more objective measures of success with longer follow-up are needed.
Pharyngoplasty for palatal snoring
Top Of Page
Accreditations
Pinpoint Scotland Ltd (Registered in Scotland No. SC068684) | © 2024 - Website by Gecko Agency