New Treatments for Sleep Apnea

Recently much research is going on in the field of new treatments for sleep apnea. Lately, a minimally invasive surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is gaining the attention of ear, nose and throat specialists, especially in Europe and the United States. It is called the Pillar Palatal Implant System. This is most effective on patients who suffer from sleep apnea due to the obstruction of air on the upper palate region.

In this procedure, there are certain polyester implants placed on the palate of the patient. These palatal implants are in the form of threads, which are not only tiny but also braided. These implants work by strengthening and tightening the upper palate tissue. These implants helps in removing the collapsing of the tissues as such clearing the airway passage.

While performing the palatal implant procedure, there are three segments of thread that are permanently embedded in the palate during the first visit to the healthcare provider. Each of these threads are 18 mm long and 1.5 mm in diameter.

These are not visible once they are put in place. There is slight pain when the procedure is done but most of the patients get back to normal diet and a normal life the same day of the implant.

Regulations associated with the implant

The Pillar Palatal Implant System received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in February 2004, for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.

Study of Effectiveness of the Implant

There has been a clinical trial done which was funded by Restore Medical. In this study, 46 non-obese adults with mild to moderate OSA were given the palatal implants. After 90 days of the procedure, the sleep apnea was recorded to be half of what it was in more than 35 patients. After the therapy was over, 50-percent of the patients no longer fell into the category of OSA as their number of apneas decreased to less than 10.

Only five out of 46 did not have any decrease in apneas. Two patients had the implant removed after partial extrusion had occurred. No serious criticalities were noticed other than this. Further trials in the year 2005 have studied comparison and advantages of this implant over CPAP. Today approximately half of patients who try CPAP go for this implant.

Some other new treatments for sleep apnea include DPAP (demand positive airway pressure) and a nasal cannula delivering warm and most air is being studied as a possible future treatment.

While Somnoplasty is not considered a new treatment it is one that has not benefitted by wide acceptance yet. Because of the training involved for the doctor and expense of additional treatments likely for the patients, this technology has yet to come to its full fruition.

So, far, new treatments for sleep apnea have not included prescription medications. But, this may not be that far off as increased heart rate while sleeping has shown to help with symptoms of sleep apnea in patients with pacemakers.