pillars

[sleepingalone]

Has anyone tried the pillar implant proceedure? If so, was it successful (I guess if it was you would not be here in this forum) Anyone care to comment on them? I am looking into having this proceedure done.

[echo]

You can find quite a few threads via this post:
LINKS to surgery, turbinates, Pillar, TAP experiences
viewtopic.php?t=2836

[BeanMeScot]

I looked into it but was surprised to see how little there was about it on the internet. My view being that if it was successful, people would be shouting it from the rooftops. The fact that I can't find anything even about it except as published by the manufacterer convinced me that it must not work. I also know someone who had the procedure done and it didn't work.

Look at the information Echo linked in. All of those threads are from 2005. That's the kind of roadblock I ran into.

[mrdunhill]

I have gone through the pillar procedure and I would not recommend it. For those of you who don't know how this works, the procedure involves inserting 3 small posts into the back of your throat. These posts are meant to stiffen the soft palate so that when you are sleeping the tissue does not vibrate, which in turn stops most types of snoring. I had the procedure done in May and I can tell you that it has not stopped me from snoring at all. Also, the procedure was quite painful. Before they can insert the pillars, they must first numb the back of your throat. In order to do this they inject your throat 3 or 4 times with a needle full of novacaine -- similar to what you would expect in the dentist's office only the back of your throat is MUCH more sensitive than the inside of your mouth. After receiving the novacaine your throat goes completely numb and it becomes very difficult to breathe -- a feeling which is extremely uncomfortable and remains for several hours after the procedure. The procedure itself isn't too bad -- but once the novacaine wears off your throat is very sore for 2 or 3 days after -- it even hurts to swallow cold water or eat ice cream. Alot of doctors try to market the procedure to patients recently diagnosed with OSA who are not comfortable yet using a CPAP machine. They say the procedure is a machine-free way to treat OSA -- but this statement is completely false. As most of you know, you can have OSA even if you do not snore. Also, most insurance companies will not cover the cost of the procedure (which costs about $2500).

[Snoredog]

I have gone through the pillar procedure and I would not recommend it. For those of you who don't know how this works, the procedure involves inserting 3 small posts into the back of your throat. These posts are meant to stiffen the soft palate so that when you are sleeping the tissue does not vibrate, which in turn stops most types of snoring. I had the procedure done in May and I can tell you that it has not stopped me from snoring at all. Also, the procedure was quite painful. Before they can insert the pillars, they must first numb the back of your throat. In order to do this they inject your throat 3 or 4 times with a needle full of novacaine -- similar to what you would expect in the dentist's office only the back of your throat is MUCH more sensitive than the inside of your mouth. After receiving the novacaine your throat goes completely numb and it becomes very difficult to breathe -- a feeling which is extremely uncomfortable and remains for several hours after the procedure. The procedure itself isn't too bad -- but once the novacaine wears off your throat is very sore for 2 or 3 days after -- it even hurts to swallow cold water or eat ice cream. Alot of doctors try to market the procedure to patients recently diagnosed with OSA who are not comfortable yet using a CPAP machine. They say the procedure is a machine-free way to treat OSA -- but this statement is completely false.As most of you know, you can have OSA even if you do not snore. Also, most insurance companies will not cover the cost of the procedure (which costs about $2500).

exactly, you nailed it!!

its all a marketing hype and a sales job. Doctors that push it this way are quacks and slimeballs and I wouldn't see them for any procedure, they are looking for alternate procedures because their core business is most likely going in the toilet.

It has been out more than 3 years now, time has PROVEN its effectiveness (which is nil from what I've read). If you have OSA with shallow breathing or centrals, thinking this procedure will resolve it is not only stupid but dangerous. No matter your AHI the machine is always going to be forcing oxygen into your lungs even if effective therapy pressure is not high enough.