Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the long-term efficacy and durability of barbed anterior pharyngoplasty (BAP) in patients with simple snoring (AHI Methods
In a prospective cohort study, 37 adult patients with habitual snoring, AHI Results
Thirty-seven patients (24 M, 13 F; mean age 44.7 ± 10.2 years) completed 36-month follow-up. Overall, 51.4% achieved ≥ 50% reduction in SI, and 64.9% had improved VAS scores. Improvements were significantly greater in the AP group compared with the C group (SI reduction ≥ 50%: 70.6% vs. 36.8%, p = 0.012; VAS improvement: 76.5% vs. 55%, p = 0.03). Snoring was considered tolerable by bed partners in 51.3% overall (70.6% AP vs. 35.0% C; p = 0.018). Four patients (10.8%) progressed to mild OSA, predominantly in the C group (3/4; p = 0.048). No major complications were observed.Conclusion
In patients with simple snoring (AHI < 5), BAP provides durable reduction of palatal vibration and snoring symptoms at three years, particularly in those exhibiting anteroposterior vibration on DISE. DISE-based vibration pattern recognition may improve patient selection; concentric vibration patterns may benefit from alternative or combined approaches.