Biomedical subjects

Brit Kari Stene

Publications and source records attributed to Brit Kari Stene.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Palatal implants for the treatment of snoring: long-term results.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and long-term effectiveness of a new treatment for snoring using permanent palatal implants. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study with 35 patients referred to the clinic for the treatment of snoring. The patients were followed for 1 year, and a sleep analysis was performed and repeated at 360 days. During the procedure, 3 braided polyethylene terephthalate implants were placed in the palate of each patient. RESULTS: The average duration for nonnarcotic analgesics was 1.3 days. No adverse events were observed. The mean snoring intensity was reduced from 7.1 at baseline to 4.8 at 1 year (P < 0.001). Bed partner satisfaction rate was very high at 70.6% after 1 year. Six patients (17.8%) experienced a total of 9 partial extrusions. CONCLUSIONS: The palatal implant system is safe, and the effectiveness in treating snoring is comparable to other surgical methods. Advantages are virtually no tissue damage and minimal patient discomfort as a result of one standardized, low-cost procedure. EBM RATING: C-4.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Consequences of increased rigidity in palatal implants for snoring: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: Palatal implants have seen an increased role in the treatment of snoring. In this study, we evaluate the safety and possible treatment effect of adding further stiffness to the palate through the use of a more rigid implant. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized double-blind study of 20 patients with primary snoring. Three polyethylene teralphate implants were placed in the soft palate with the patient under local anesthesia. Ten patients received regular implants (rigidity 1.0) and 10 patients received stiffer implants (rigidity 1.8). The patients and their bed partners were followed for 6 months with questionnaires and office visits. A sleep study was performed preoperatively and at the last follow-up. RESULTS: Four of the 10 patients with stiffer implants had 5 partial extrusions in the observation period. There was a nonsignificant reduction in snoring intensity from 8.1 to 6.1 evaluated by the bed partner on a visual analogue scale in this group. No extrusions were seen in the group with regular implants. This group showed a significant reduction in snoring intensity from 7.7 to 4.7. No other major adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Rigid implants cause short time extrusions with loss of treatment effect. Regular implants reduce palatal snoring intensity with high patient and bed partner satisfaction. EBM RATING: A-1b.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Soft palate implants for the treatment of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the initial short-term effectiveness of palatal implants in treating patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Previous published studies have focused on snoring without OSA. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, nonrandomized study of 25 previously untreated patients with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 10 to 30 and a body mass index (BMI) of <or=30. Three permanent implants (Pillar; Restore Medical, St Paul, MN) were placed in the soft palate of each patient with a specially designed delivery tool in an office setting under local anesthesia after a formal polysomnography. A repeat polysomnography was obtained after 90 days. RESULTS: The AHI was reduced from a mean of 16.2 to a mean of 12.1 (P < 0.05) for the study group. Twenty of 25 patients (80%) experienced a decrease in the AHI. Twelve of 25 patients (48%) showed a post-90-day implant AHI of 10 or less, a benchmark for the possible cessation of continuous positive airway pressure therapy. The Epworth Sleepiness Score decreased from 9.7 to 5.5 (P < 0.001) and the visual analog Scale of snoring intensity reported by bed partners decreased from 8.4 to 4.3 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The palatal implant method can significantly improve AHI and other sleep-related parameters in patients with mild to moderate OSA and a BMI of <or=30. Short-term results are comparative to those reported for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty but achieved in a low-cost, single-stage, outpatient office setting with low morbidity. EBM RATING: C-4.

Adult↗