Pillar Procedures - Minimally Invasive Treatment for Snoring

Pillar Implants

The Pillar Procedure, for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder characterized by interruptions and cessations in breathing during sleep, which can occur up to hundreds of times a night.

As reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, it is estimated that one in five adults in the United States suffers from mild obstructive sleep apnea. One in 15 adults in the United States suffers from moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Consider these statistics:

• Almost half of all people with obstructive sleep apnea develop high blood pressure (hypertension), which raises the risk of heart failure and stroke.
• People suffering from obstructive sleep apnea are up to 6 times more likely to be involved in a car crash as a result of drowsiness than those without sleep disorders.
• The partner of an obstructive sleep apnea sufferer loses about an hour of sleep every night due to his or her partner’s snoring.
• Sleep deprivation has been shown to alter hormones and metabolism involved in weight gain.

The most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). There are also surgical procedures that remove or alter tissue at the back of the throat, such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP). These surgical procedures are invasive and often painful options that can require weeks of recovery time and pain management medications.

The Pillar Procedure. The first step toward better sleep.

The tissue in the back of the throat most often involved in snoring and obstructive sleep apnea is the soft palate. In addition to the soft palate, many people also suffer from obstruction of other parts of the upper airway including the nasal airway, tonsils, tongue, and pharyngeal walls.

Be sure to ask your doctor to examine all parts of your upper airway and assess if your soft palate is contributing to your obstructive sleep apnea. If your soft palate is a factor in your obstructive sleep apnea, the Pillar Procedure may be an effective treatment option for you, because it stiffens the soft palate to reduce or eliminate the tissue vibration and collapse that can cause obstructive sleep apnea .

The Pillar Procedure can be performed as a stand-alone procedure or used in combination with other treatments and lifestyle changes to address multi-level upper airway obstruction. More than 30,000 people worldwide have been treated with the Pillar Procedure.

Obstructive sleep apnea can be a complex condition. The Pillar Procedure can be an effective first step in your journey to a better night's sleep.

The Pillar Procedure. Your first step for sleeping and feeling better.

Watch Animated Pillar Video

Now there's a simple, safe, minimally invasive treatment for snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Unlike other painful and invasive surgical procedures, the Pillar Procedure is a simple treatment that your doctor can perform in a single short office visit or in combination with other procedures. More than 30,000 people worldwide have been treated with the Pillar Procedure.

During the Pillar Procedure, three tiny polyester implants are placed into the soft palate. Over time, the implants, together with the body's natural fibrotic response, add structural support to and stiffen the soft palate. This structural support and stiffening reduce the tissue vibration that can cause snoring and the palatal tissue collapse that can obstruct the upper airway and cause obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Clinical studies of the Pillar Procedure have shown that:

• Patients experienced a significant decrease in snoring intensity.
• Bed partner satisfaction with the reduction in snoring after the Pillar Procedure has been documented at 80% or higher.
• Approximately 80% of patients demonstrated a reduction in their AHI, and results were sustained at one year after the Pillar Procedure.
• Patients experienced less daytime sleepiness and significant improvements in lifestyle after the Pillar Procedure.