Velumount Palatal Device

Last Updated on Friday, 29 July 2011 08:54 Written by Administrator Thursday, 28 July 2011 12:36

Velumount® - For the Prevention of Snoring
and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)

Stephanie Phillibert at Back in Business Physiotherapy is proud to offer services involving the NEW Velumount Palatal Device for Successful Treatment of OSA and Snoring

Velumount -- mechanically preventing the soft palate from collapsing while sleeping
 

Switzerland KARGER ORL
Journal for Oto-Rhino-Lanryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
ORL 2009;71:148-152 (DOI: 10.1159/000216842)

Therapy of Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea using the Velumount
Palatal Device

Position of the oral device (Gaumenspange) Velumount for Rhonchopathy and
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)


Prof. Dr. med. Kurt Peter Tschop (Chefarzt HNO-Klinik, Kantons Spital Liestal in
Basel CH, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), Fabian Schauer, Esther Genoveva Thomaser
Clinic for Neck, Nose, Ear disorders, Neck and Facial surgery, Canton Hospital
Liestal(Basel Switzerland)


Abstract

Introduction: The Velumount Method was developed and patented by A. Wyss
from Bern (Switzerland) for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea
(OSA). The principle consists of an external stinting of the retro palatal area and an
ante flexion of the velum palatinum. The target of the presented work is the
scientific evaluation of the success of the Velumount Method.

Method: During May 2007 - May 2008, 37 patients were evaluated with and
without the Velumount. With a nocturnal polysomnography of the upper airways
combined with a respiratory polygraphy the Apnoea-Hypopnoea-Index (AHI), the
average Oesophagus pressure (Pes) and the percentage distribution of obstructions
in the retropalatal and retro-lingual were defined. With the aid of a questionnaire,
the snoring index (1-10) as well as day tiredness with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale
(ESS) was established.


Results: With Velumount a reduction was achieved for the snoring index from
average 8.3 (SD+/_3.4) to 3.7 (SD+/-2.5), the point scale in ESS from average
8.2 (SD+/-4.3) to 3.9 (SD+/-3.4) and the Pes from average 15 cmH2O (SD+/-6.8)
to 11.4 cmH2O (SD+/- 6.6). The AHI by n=22 OSA patients without Velumount
was as an average of 23.6 (SD+/-10.6) and reduced with the Velumount to an
average of 14.0 (SD+/-12.9). All changes were highly significant (Wilcoxon test:
p<0.001). With a snoring index of <3 socially classified as not disturbing, the
response rate was 65%. Regarding the AHI and using the Sher criteria (AHI <20/h
and reduction compared to starting value around 50%) the result is a 55%
response rate. A normalisation of a raised Pes (Pes <10 cmH2O) resulted in 41%.
The retro-palate obstructive AHI Value had a predictive value with regard to overall
improvement of AHI (Spearman r=0.46; p=0.004).


Conclusion: The Velumount Method is effective for snoring and OSA and the
nocturnal Polysomnography of the upper airways validates the expectation of a
therapy success. The effect is similar to that reported from uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.