Medtronic’s Pillar Procedure shows sleep apnoea efficacy

Medtronic's Pillar Procedure for sleep apnoea patients has had its effectiveness underlined by a meta-analysis of seven studies published in the January 2013 issue of the journal Laryngoscope.

The report demonstrated that the treatment is able to significantly reduce snoring loudness and mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnoea, according to data from the seven case-controlled studies, which enrolled a total of 174 subjects.

US Food and Drug Administration approval of the Pillar Procedure was granted for snoring in 2002 and for sleep apnoea in 2004, thanks to a body of clinical evidence showing its benefits as a minimally invasive tissue-sparing therapy option.

It involves placing small implants into the patient's soft palate to stiffen the tissue, thus helping to address vibrations and collapses that can block the upper airway and contribute to snoring and sleep disruption.

This comes after Medtronic reported positive data from a trial showing the benefits its deep brain stimulation therapy can provide for Parkinson's disease sufferers earlier this month.