Pillar procedure effectiveness

[paulw]

My OSA was diagnosed because I attended a presentation on the pillar procedure to reduce snoring. It was never presented to me as a viable treatment for OSA, only as something to help reduce snoring.

When I went for an initial consultation with the ENT who did the presentation, he checked my airways to see if there was anything he could do to improve them (I'd had turbinate reduction & a septum rebuild 4 years earlier). He then referred me to a pulmonary specialist to make sure I didn't have apnea before he'd discuss any further snoring treatment options.
The pulmonary guy ordered a sleep study and the resulting diagnosis was sever sleep apnea & cpap.

[Izzz]

Althought the pillar procedure is commonly performed it only works for some folks. Home sleep tests are now available along with auto titrating cpap's and much more comfortable masks. The technology has come a long way wih cpap's and mask supplies. CPAP therapy doesn't work for everyone either. CPAP can work for those that surgery does not and surgery can work for those that CPAP does not. For those that travel the cpap's are very small now a days and truely don't take much room.

[MRL-ARL]

I had 3 pillars implanted in November and my wife and I have not noticed a decrease in snoring volume at all. I would say save your money on this procedure (mine = $1,800, not covered by insurance). The doctor did say that "the full effectiveness of the pillars would not be reached until 6 months after when scar tissue had built up around them more", but honestly I don't foresee it all of a sudden start working. During my last follow up, the doctor recommended possibly adding in a mouth-gaurd type device to reposition my jaw overnight (additional $300) but I don't really feel like paying for anything more and wish I had tried the mouth-piece first.

[roster]

I had 3 pillars implanted in November and my wife and I have not noticed a decrease in snoring volume at all. I would say save your money on this procedure (mine = $1,800, not covered by insurance). The doctor did say that "the full effectiveness of the pillars would not be reached until 6 months after when scar tissue had built up around them more", but honestly I don't foresee it all of a sudden start working. During my last follow up, the doctor recommended possibly adding in a mouth-gaurd type device to reposition my jaw overnight (additional $300) but I don't really feel like paying for anything more and wish I had tried the mouth-piece first.

Did you do any research before the procedure?

[pbach]

My daughter had a UPPP, Pillars, along with Tonsil and adenoid removal.
At the time she was only 20. Her snoring stopped. Strep and tonsil infections went away.

Her Pillars all came out. Some slipped out. Some were poking out so she just yanked them out

I think she had so much swelling from the major surgery they were rejected during healing.

[roster]

UPPP and Pillars seems strange. Is that a rare combination?

[Janknitz]

When researching this or any other procedure, make sure your doctor very clearly defines what "success" means. YOUR definition of success may not be the same as his/hers.

People who are seeking a surgical procedure to get off CPAP are often disappointed. When you pin ENT's down about success, often their definition of success is a 50% reduction in CPAP pressure needed in 50% of people who have the procedure. In other words, most people will remain on CPAP anyway, and may still snore.

So use extra caution when considering any of these surgeries, and don't listen only to the positive reviews.

[Guest]

Folks,
I am an ENT and I firmly believe this procedure DOES NOT WORK for the vast majority of people. Unfortunately, the company that makes the implants and the physicians that promote them are being extremely mercenary. If the implants worked, the original inventor (Restore Medical) would not have had to sell out to a bigger company before they went BANKRUPT. Look at Restore Medical stock price starting in 2005- it went from $8 per share to below a buck. A successful invention for snoring would have PRINTED money. Don't do it. Get two opinions. Insurance DOES NOT cover it. At all.

[RunningOnEmpty]

Thanks for all the info on the Pillar Procedure. Based on what I see here and elsewhere, I am not going to get the procedure performed.
Why is it so hard for ENT's or the medical community to come up with a real cure for snoring? What makes it so difficult to stop snoring?

[bmwhd]

I have to respectfully disagree with the recommendations against Pillar. I had the procedure 4 years ago for moderate OSA and it worked perfectly as advertised.

The argument that 'if it worked, they wouldn't be bankrupt' is BS. Many a small company has failed to capitalize on a good idea in the face of the medical bureaucracy and insurance industry. The CPAP 'lobby' is strong and hide-bound doctors reluctant to forge ahead for fear of losing their incentives.

The fact is, the pillar procedure is simple, safe, and effective in many cases and despite the fact that it's not covered by insurance, if it works, it beats the heck out of any of the 'approved' alternatives.

[CatherineF]

I think that pillar procedure may be effective when someone has problems with collapsing soft palate, it won't help when someone has problems on the base of the tongue level. I am considering this procedure too, because I know where my obstrution level is, but first I am going to have RF somnoplasty to shrink my soft palate, shorten and diminish its size and weight. Maybe then pillar?

[Guest]

I think that pillar procedure may be effective when someone has problems with collapsing soft palate, it won't help when someone has problems on the base of the tongue level. I am considering this procedure too, because I know where my obstrution level is, but first I am going to have RF somnoplasty to shrink my soft palate, shorten and diminish its size and weight. Maybe then pillar?

Two worthless procedures in a row? Not unless you are addicted to poor outcomes.

[CatherineF]

Why worthless? Why would it be worthless?

I don't know, do I get sth wrong? To treat apnea we should get rid of the cause and when the cause of this is known it is possible to cure this cause. Pillar may not be effective when someone has more obstruction at the base of the tongue, but how can it be worthless when the soft palate is causing the obstruction? When the palate will be stiffen it should not be able to collapse so much? Isn't that true?

[Guest]

Why worthless? Why would it be worthless?

Well...live and learn.

[Jim O.]

I paid $1400. cash for the proceedure 4 years ago and it did nothing to help. I was told that I was a perfect candidate, tall and slim. But my wife could not tell that it did any good. I still us the CPAP.