None — BACKGROUND: The Pillar procedure is a treatment designed to help relieve snoring and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (a potentially dangerous sleep disorder that causes individuals to pause their breathing during sleep). As you sleep, the muscles in the soft palate (the fleshy portion of your throat), tongue and throat relax. If these tissues relax too much they vibrate and can cause snoring. So far, more than 30,000 people have turned to the Pillar Procedure for help. (SOURCE: www.pillarprocedure.com)
THE PROCEDURE: The procedure is relatively painless and can be performed in a doctor's office in less than 20 minutes, using only local anesthetic. During the procedure, three tiny polyester rods are placed into the soft palate. The inserts help reduce both the vibration that causes snoring and the ability of the soft palate to obstruct the airway. Over time, the rods add structural support to the soft palate and prevent palatal fluttering (snoring). (SOURCE: www.pillarprocedure.com)
THE COMPLICATIONS: There have been no reported major complications as a result of the Pillar procedure. Since the procedure doesn't involve removing or destroying tissue, there is a low risk of complication. In fact the reported rate for all complications is less than one percent. The most commonly reported complication is a partial extrusion. This happens when the implant is placed too shallow or too deep, and the tip of the implant protrudes through the surface of the soft palate tissue. If this happens the physician should remove the implant and replace it with a new implant. Most of the minor complications that occur are temporary and are resolved within one to three days. Other complications may include a sore throat, infection, a change of voice or taste, and swelling. (SOURCE: (SOURCE: www.pillarprocedure.com/docs/Patients-IFU.pdf)
THE RESULTS: Patients may notice results as early as the day after the procedure. Within just 24 hours some patients report a decrease in snoring. Since the soft palate often becomes more rigid over time as the tissue hardens around the implants, it could take a few months before a patient feels the full effects of the procedure. Once the rods are implanted, they generally aren't removed. Because the Pillar procedure is relatively new, it's not yet clear how long the implants will be effective. (SOURCE: Mayo Clinic)
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