The most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The patient sleeps wearing a tight-fitting mask that uses air under pressure to keep the patient’s airway open.
There are also surgical procedures that remove or alter tissue at the back of the throat. These procedures are invasive and often painful options that can require weeks of recovery time and pain management medications.
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) A surgeon uses a scalpel to remove soft tissue on the back of the throat, and the soft palate is partially removed. The surgeon may also remove the tonsils and other excess tissue if it is present. This is done while the patient is under general anesthesia.
- Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) A surgeon uses a laser to cut away the uvula, the tissue that hangs from the middle of the back of the roof of the mouth. The patient may be under local or general anesthesia.
Now snorers have another option
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.
Using local anesthetic, a physician uses a specially designed delivery tool to place up to five tiny inserts into the soft palate to stiffen and support the palate. The procedure takes one brief visit to the physician’s office and 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.
Do you want to know if the Pillar Procedure is right for you? (FIND A PHYSICIAN)