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[Keleih]

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[tutuuu]

Pillar doesn't have enough data to support anything. It is very new and a doctor(clinic) has stopped using pillar due to extrusion. I think that was in Boston. So there is a chance of rejection. There is always a rejection of any foreign matter except steel plates(screws in fractures permanently) and pace makers that are attached to bones not to let it move.
Pillars may have life of 5 years and every five years you have to reinsert it.

[Sleepy Stoboy]

Tutu,

Very scientific response.

Actually, there is significant evidence that the Pillar Procedure does indeed produce significant reductions in RDI for most patients. Short term data on extrustions is minimal, around 1%. And in these cases, it isn't the pillar that is the culprit, it is either a palate that is too short, or placement of the pillar implant too close to the rear of the palate.

Yes, in most parts of the body, a foreign body will be quickly rejected. But in the case of the pillar implants, as they grow in, they create scar tissue in the area around them which stiffens the palate and restricts movement of the implant. If an extrusion happens, it usually happens either at the point of insertion or shortly after the procedure. The material used in the implants has been used in several other medical procedures where a foreign matter is needed.

While there is no long term data on such a long term procedure, what do you see as such severe negative consequences? If I can address my palatal obstruction every 5 years with a 45 minute procedure, why wouldn't I? In Keilah's case, if the implant is extruding, it can be pulled out and replaced. Not ideal, but certainly nothing to be overly concerned about.

People post to this forum with their successes on CPAP, and you present some unheard view that they are somehow doing harm to themselves. People post with their experiences with pillar, which has halped several of us, and you counter that there isn't enough data. Which is it? If you want the safe, medically proven and treatment that has a wealth of long term data, wouldn't that be CPAP? If someone wants to try an alternative treatment with good short term data and positive experiences by people on this forum, wouldn't that be pillar, dental devices, etc?

Keilah's question wasn't asking you to validate whether the pillar procedure was a proven long term solution. Yet, you chose to ignore the question and go off on a different agenda. The fact that one doctor has stopped doing implants due to extrusion means nothing. Hundreds of doctors are supporting and practicing this procedure both for snoring and treatment of mild and moderate cases of apnea. Where was this statistic?

It almost seems to me that your primary purpose on this board is to discourage people who are looking for information and hope, regardless of the treatment.