Managing disturbing snoring with palatal implants: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of polyethylene terephthalate implants in the soft palate to modify disturbing snoring. DESIGN Interventional study, before-after trial. SETTING Referral center, institutional practice, hospitalized care. PATIENTS Twelve consecutive patients with disturbing snoring and an apnea-hypopnea index less than 15 per hour and a body mass index of 30 or less were recruited. One patient with no adverse effects was lost to follow-up. Extrusion of implants occurred in 2 patients. Complete data in 9 patients were available for analysis. INTERVENTION Polyethylene terephthalate implants were inserted in the soft palate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Safety of the procedure and evaluation of the loudness of snoring by bed partners using a visual analog scale. RESULTS There were no complications of infection or bleeding. Extrusion of implants occurred in 2 patients with no clinical sequelae. The mean (SD) loudness of snoring at baseline, as assessed by bed partners using a visual analog scale of 0 to 100, was 79 (17.2). This significantly decreased to 48 (20.4) at 3 months (Wilcoxon signed rank test, P =.008). Daytime sleepiness as measured with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale also decreased from an average score of 8.9 at baseline to 5.7 at 3 months (P =.007). There were no significant changes in the apnea-hypopnea index and body mass index from baseline to 3 months' follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Polyethylene terephthalate implants in the soft palate are safe. Snoring decreased significantly at 3 months after surgery. Polyethylene terephthalate implants in the soft palate should be further explored as a treatment for snoring.