Efficacy of Pillar Implants to Reduce Snoring and Daytime Sleepiness

Abstract

Objective: To measure the efficacy of pillar implants in reducing snoring. Materials and methods: A total of 30 adult patients who underwent pillar implants were assessed preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the implantation. Improvement was measured using snoring frequency, visual analog scale for snoring loudness, and Epworth sleepiness scale for daytime sleepiness. Results: The mean snoring frequency, loudness and Epworth score were reduced from 6.9, 9.2 and 7.4 at the baseline to 5, 5.9 and 5.6, respectively, at 12 months postoperatively (all p < 0.03). The partial implant extrusion rate was 6.7%. Conclusion: We suggest that a pillar implant procedure should be considered before proceeding to more morbid surgeries in patients with snoring and daytime sleepiness.

Social Support and Daytime Sleepiness Among Chinese Medical Students: Mediating Roles of Loneliness and Problematic Smartphone Use

“…[7][8][9] Based on the significant impact of daytime sleepiness on an individual's physical and mental health and wellbeing, there has been increasing concern about daytime sleepiness. Most studies on daytime sleepiness have focused on populations with sleep-related breathing disorders 2,10,11 or those secondary to somatic and psychiatric disorders. [12][13][14][15] Several studies have also shown a high prevalence of daytime sleepiness, poor sleep quality, and poor sleep health among medical students, 9,16 nurses, 17 and the general population.…”