HSC Section 3 - Trauma, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine

Yaremchuk

encapsulation of the implants. The fibrosis that occurs stiffens the soft palate and de- creases palatal fluttering. The increased rigidity decreases the AHI. The pillar palatal implants were performed as an outpatient procedure with little pain or discomfort, an attractive alternative for some patients with snoring and sleep apnea. Fig. 7. ( A ) The incision of the palatal flap is marked ( dashed line ). ( B ) The mucosa over the palatal flap is removed, exposing the palatal musculature. ( C ) The uvula and palate are split in the midline with a scalpel. ( D ) The uvular flaps are reflected posteriorly and laterally over the soft palate ( arrows ). ( E ) A 2-layered closure of the palatal flaps is performed. ( From Friedman M, Ibrahim H, Vidyasagar R, et al. Z-palatoplasty (ZPP): a technique for patients without tonsils. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2004;131(1):91–5; with permission.)

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