A feasibility study in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and snoring: Nasopharyngeal stent.

Abstract

The objective of this study is to create a new choice of treatment with nasopharyngeal stent in isolated retro palatal obstruction and snoring for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The study included five patients with mild OSAS and snoring. Nasopharyngeal stents were applied in these patients with drug-induced sedation endoscopy. With the nasopharyngeal stents, we aimed to prevent the soft palate to fall backwards while sleeping, especially at supine position in order to prevent the occurrence of apnea and hypopnea, providing a way for the airway to remain open as well as a support behind the soft palate and thus prevent snoring based on the vibration created by draught. We suggest a new alternative treatment approach to devices that need to be continuously used such as CPAP or intraoral devices or surgical methods that have many unwanted discomforts for the patients.