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Silencing the snorers: no gain without pain?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 May 2006

J A Wilson
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
S E Lester
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
G J Gibson
Affiliation:
Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Newcastle, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
S Anari
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
J G Steele
Affiliation:
Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
I N Steen
Affiliation:
Centre for Health Services Research, School of Population and Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
G I McCracken
Affiliation:
Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Abstract

Objective: To compare the estimated effects of conservative surgery to those of a mandibular advancement splint (MAS) in the treatment of habitual snoring.

Method: Prospective, observational, non-randomized cohort study.

Results: Adequate follow-up data were available for 88 participants (23 following coblation, 65 after provision of an MAS). The mean reduction in snoring symptoms inventory (SSI) score for the 23 subjects undergoing coblation was 9.83 (± standard deviation 11.43). Reported pain duration was greatest with uvula amputation, but uvula coblation did not always adequately reduce its bulk. Of the 65 MAS patients, 39 (60 per cent) used the device regularly, with a mean fall in SSI of 12 (±16.4, p = 0.001). Approximately one in four patients in both groups achieved a significant fall in SSI (>15 points), and the measured effect sizes were close to 0.75 for both treatments.

Conclusions: Mandibular advancement splints and coblation have similar efficacies. However, their efficacy does not match that of radical surgery.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
2006 JLO (1984) Limited

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