Objective: Evaluate long-term safety and outcomes of palatal implants for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Study design and setting: Continuation of a prospective case series of patients with palatal implants. Polysomnography, daytime sleepiness, and snoring intensity were measured at baseline, 90 days, and extended follow-up.
Results: Twenty-two (42%) patients from the previous study were followed for a median of 435.5 days. Thirteen were classified as responders, based on their 90-day evaluation. 76.9% of initial responders maintained improvements in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), daytime sleepiness, and snoring at extended follow-up. Nine patients were initial nonresponders for AHI and daytime sleepiness and remained unchanged at extended follow-up. However, snoring for these nine patients initially improved, and the improvement continued through extended follow-up.
Conclusion: Initial response or nonresponse to palatal implants remains stable over an extended period. The generalizability of these results is unknown because of significant loss to follow-up.
Significance: Study results report safety and beneficial long-term outcomes of palatal implants for mild to moderate OSA treatment in selected patients.