AIM: to assess the effectiveness of the Balters Bionator orthopedic appliance for the treatment of the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). METHODS: Sixteen patients (18.8% women and 81.3% men) that presented OSAS on diagnosis were selected. Of the 16 patients that used the Balters Bionator orthopedic appliance, only 9 presented good acceptance (56.25%) and concluded the treatment. They were submitted to another polysomnography exam, performed with the patients using the Balters Bionator orthopedic appliance, in order to assess the effectiveness of this device in treating apnea snoring. Comparison between the results of the initial (11.5) and final (4.2) RDI (respiratory disturbance index) was made by the paired t test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: A statistically significant improvement in the RDI was observed after the device was used. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the Balters Bionator orthopedic appliance may be considered as a method for treating OSAS in light or moderate cases, in spite of being a method hardly tolerated by patients.
Balters Bionator; Apnea; Snoring
