Surigical Therapies

Laser Procedures

Tonsil Size: Tonsil size is graded from 0 to 4. The optimal tonsil size for a stand-alone Pillar Procedure is 0 - 2. Consider a tonsillectomy for patients with a tonsil size greater than 2 in combination with the Pillar Procedure. Click on image for larger view.

Enlarged tonsils can cause significant narrowing of the upper throat and contribute to airway obstruction and snoring. Traditional tonsillectomy requires a hospital admission and is performed in the operating room under general anesthesia. The operation is followed by a painful recovery time lasting 2-3 weeks requiring narcotic pain medication and prolonged down-time from work and social activity.

Laser tonsillectomy is performed in the office in about 20 minutes using only local freezing. During the procedure, up to 80% of the tonsil tissue is vaporized using a highly focused laser beam.

The laser technique considerably reduces the amount of pain and recovery time compared to traditional tonsil surgery and allows for a much faster return to work and normal activity.

Rather than endure the severe pain associated with traditional surgery, many patients can now choose to treat their tonsils comfortably and conveniently in the office setting using state of the art laser treatment. Laser tonsillectomy is indicated for the treatment of large tonsils contributing to snoring and other sleep disordered breathing conditions. It can also be used to treat chronically infected tonsils and "tonsil stones" (tonsiloliths). It is appropriate for patients over the age of 16.

Pillar Procedures

The Pillar Procedure is a revolutionary, minimally invasive treatment for snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea. The procedure is:

• Safe
• Has minimal associated discomfort
• Has almost no down-time

If you press your tongue against the roof of your mouth, the bony portion behind your teeth is known as the hard palate. The softer portion back toward your throat is known as the soft palate. As you have learned elsewhere on this website, many factors such as sleep position, enlarged tonsils, and increased weight can contribute to snoring. The soft palate however, is almost always involved in chronic snoring.

Click on image for larger view.

During the Pillar Procedure, three tiny implants are placed into the soft palate. The implants are made from a material that has been safely used in surgery for over 40 years and act to stiffen and support the soft palate in much the same way that struts stiffen and support the wings of an airplane. This effect diminishes the tissue vibration that leads to snoring and helps to prevent the collapse of upper airway soft tissues that causes both snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Clinical studies of the Pillar Procedure have shown that:

• Patients experienced a significant decrease in snoring intensity.
• Bed partner satisfaction with the reduction in snoring after the Pillar Procedure has been documented at 80% or higher.
• Approximately 80% of patients demonstrated a reduction in indexes of their sleep disordered breathing, and results were sustained at one year after the Pillar Procedure.
• Patients experienced less daytime sleepiness and significant improvements in lifestyle after the Pillar Procedure.

Unlike other painful and invasive surgical procedures, the Pillar Procedure is a simple treatment that can be performed at the Snoring Centre in a single short office visit. The procedure takes approximately ten minutes and many patients choose to return to work on the same day. The Pillar procedure can be performed as a stand-alone procedure or used in conjunction with other treatments such as weight loss or laser tonsillectomy.

Once implanted, the Pillar inserts should not be seen or felt and should not interfere with swallowing. Sometimes, patients describe an awareness of a slight fullness in the palate following the procedure. This is generally minor and temporary. Side effects from the Pillar Procedure are generally minimal and serious complications are rare. More than 30,000 people worldwide have been treated with the Pillar Procedure.

The Pillar procedure is ideal for:

• Appropriately selected snorers who are looking for a fast, minimally invasive treatment with minimal recovery time
• Patients who do not wish to consider the long term, daily use of an oral appliance
• Patients with diagnosed sleep apnea who cannot or will not tolerate other treatments such as CPAP

Animation

This informative 3D animation provides a simple, visual explanation of the causes of palatal OSA and snoring. The video makes it easy to see how the Pillar Procedure's three tiny palatal implants helps correct the vibrations and obstruction that can cause snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.