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Soft palate implants: a new option for treating habitual snoring

  • Laryngology
  • Published:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Head & Neck Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

One hundred six patients with proven habitual snoring were each treated with three implants consisting of a cylindrical-shaped segment of braided polyester filaments (18 mm in length with an outer diameter of 1.5 mm) in the soft palate. The implants, pre-loaded in a single-use delivery tool, were inserted into the soft palate under local anesthesia. Along with the initial examination, follow-up exams were done after the treatment to test the safety and efficacy of the procedure. Snoring post treatment was reported as “no snoring” or “slight/occasional” in the majority of the cases after treatment. The results indicate there were no serious adverse events reported. The most frequent minor adverse events were partial extrusions in which the patient often presented a minor foreign body sensation along with mild transient pain. This data has demonstrated the procedure as a minimally invasive, relatively painless, simple procedure that has been shown to be safe and effective.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93042, Regensburg, Germany

    Thomas S. Kühnel

  2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery Sleep Disorders Center, University Hospital Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany

    G. Hein & J. T. Maurer

  3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Alfried-Krupp Hospital, Essen, Germany

    W. Hohenhorst

Authors
  1. Thomas S. Kühnel
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  2. G. Hein
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  3. W. Hohenhorst
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  4. J. T. Maurer
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Correspondence to Thomas S. Kühnel.

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Kühnel, T.S., Hein, G., Hohenhorst, W. et al. Soft palate implants: a new option for treating habitual snoring. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 262, 277–280 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-004-0791-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-004-0791-3

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