PROCEDURES

Compare Sleep Apnea Treatments

Surgical treatment options to address the soft palate component of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have traditionally involved the scarring or removal of tissue. A minimally invasive option to treat the soft palate is the Pillar Procedure from Medtronic. The table below lists common soft palate procedures for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

  
    Soft Palate Procedure
    Patient Visits
    Invasiveness
    Post Procedure Pain
    Most Likely

      Potential Complications / Side Effects
    Reversible
  

    The Pillar Procedure: Using local anesthetic, the physician uses a specially designed delivery tool to place three tiny implants into the soft palate to support and stiffen the palate. Procedure takes one brief visit to the physician's office.
    One
    Least

Invasive
    Low
    Partial extrusion

      (less than 1%)
    Yes
  

    Sclerotherapy. A small amount of a caustic chemical (called a sclerosant) is injected into the soft palate, which burns and destroys soft palate tissues. The destroyed tissue is replaced by scar tissue that stiffens the palate. Local anesthetic is used.
    Multiple
     
     
    Ulceration and breakdown of mucousal membranes
    No
  

    Radiofrequency (RF) ablation. Relatively low-level heat, generated by radiofrequency energy, is used to destroy soft palate tissue. Local anesthesia is used.
    Multiple
     
     
    Ulceration and breakdown of mucousal membranes
    No
  

    Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP): The 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. Patient may be under local anesthetic or general anesthesia.
    Multiple
     
     
    Transient velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), a poor seal between the pharynx and soft palate, causing regurgitation of food and water when swallowing and adversely affecting speech.
    No
  

    Uvulopalato-pharyngoplasty (UPPP) Surgical removal of tissue, which may include the uvula, soft palate, tonsils, adenoids and pharynx.
    One
    Most

Invasive
    Very High
    Post-operative hemorrhage. Transient velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), a poor seal between the pharynx and soft palate, causing regurgitation of food and water when swallowing and adversely affecting speech.
    No
  

Click Here for a more detailed comparison of treatment options.

This comparative chart is based upon published literature and is not based upon head-to-head clinical comparisons of the Pillar® System with any other product or treatment modality. The physician and patient must determine if the characteristics and features of the Pillar System are right for them.

Soft Palate Procedure	Patient Visits	Invasiveness	Post Procedure Pain	Most Likely Potential Complications / Side Effects	Reversible
The Pillar Procedure: Using local anesthetic, the physician uses a specially designed delivery tool to place three tiny implants into the soft palate to support and stiffen the palate. Procedure takes one brief visit to the physician's office.	One	Least Invasive	Low	Partial extrusion (less than 1%)	Yes
Sclerotherapy. A small amount of a caustic chemical (called a sclerosant) is injected into the soft palate, which burns and destroys soft palate tissues. The destroyed tissue is replaced by scar tissue that stiffens the palate. Local anesthetic is used.	Multiple			Ulceration and breakdown of mucousal membranes	No
Radiofrequency (RF) ablation. Relatively low-level heat, generated by radiofrequency energy, is used to destroy soft palate tissue. Local anesthesia is used.	Multiple			Ulceration and breakdown of mucousal membranes	No
Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP): The 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. Patient may be under local anesthetic or general anesthesia.	Multiple			Transient velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), a poor seal between the pharynx and soft palate, causing regurgitation of food and water when swallowing and adversely affecting speech.	No
Uvulopalato-pharyngoplasty (UPPP) Surgical removal of tissue, which may include the uvula, soft palate, tonsils, adenoids and pharynx.	One	Most Invasive	Very High	Post-operative hemorrhage. Transient velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), a poor seal between the pharynx and soft palate, causing regurgitation of food and water when swallowing and adversely affecting speech.	No