The efficacy of Barbed Sutures for Anterior Pharyngoplasty: technical aspects and preliminary results.

After the first experiences with the Barbed Sutures (BS) in sleep surgery, we present the Modular Barbed Anterior Pharyngoplasty (M.B.A.Ph.), a functional tenso-structural reconstruction of the soft palate, as a surgical solution for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) due to antero-posterior collapse at the drug induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) for snoring and mild-moderate OSA. The action of the BS is sustained over time by means of solid and stable tissue scarring. M.B.A.Ph. avoids palatal fibromuscular resection and minimize iatrogenic bleeding (bloodless surgery). The technique is described in detail and some preliminary results are presented.