Name of Medical Device

Tongue suspension suture TAD.

Description

The implanted temporary anchorage device (TAD) is fixed to the mandible, and then the suture on the TAD is pulled back through the to fix the tongue root forward, prevent its posterior part from falling back during sleep, alleviate the respiratory arrest and hypoxia caused by the collapse of the respiratory tract, clear the airways during sleep on one’s back, and further treat snoring and sleep apnea.

When to Use

The timing of use is that the patients with snoring and sleep apnea syndrome do not respond well to conservative treatment or other sleep surgery, and their quality of life has been undermined. It can also be implemented in parallel with other sleep respiratory operations, such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), and can improve the success rate of surgery.

Possible Side Effects

• Infection and tongue swelling.
• Nerve, blood vessel, and muscle injury due to penetration of suture penetrators through the underside of the tongue.
• If the stitches are broken, they need to be replaced.

Postoperative Care

• Observing whether there is persistent exudates in wounds on the lower chin and whether there is hemorrhage or subcutaneous hematoma after operation.
• Observing whether there is persistent swelling, pain or even bleeding in the tongue after operation.
• Two weeks after the operation, it is normal to have temporary dysphagia or to have the sensation of the tongue being pulled forward. The above phenomena will return to normal after the wound heals.