MilwENT News Page

This is where we'll announce the most recent additions to our web site. If you've visited us before and want to know what's changed, take a look here first.

Botulinum toxin type A is available at the clinic for the FDA approved use in treating forehead wrinkles. 5 injections of small quantities of the protein are placed in the frown muscles of the forehead and 89% of patients achieve significant wrinkle reduction for up to 4 months. The treatment takes about 10 minutes for appropriate candidates aged 18 to 65. The cost is $550 per treatment. Discounts are available for referrals treated at the same time. Please click the link below to view Clinic patient results.

Glycolic acid peels are also available alone or in conjunction with microdermabrasion therapy. The recommended course of treatment is three peels spaced two weeks apart. Twice daily use of 10% unbuffered glycolic acid is recommended for maintenance. The cost of the three peels is $250. The 50% Glycolic acid peel administered in the office is a superficial peel but used in conjunction with the daily glycolic acid it can achieve medium depth peel effect. Please call to schedule an appointment with Eve our esthetician for more information.

The clinic has acquired the newest equipment available for evaluating the inner ear balance system. The equipment utilizes infrared video camera technology to record the signals the brain receives from the inner ear balance mechanism and then sends to the eyes. This technology helps us to pinpoint the source of dizziness and hopefully leads to its correction or control.

The clinic's first patient has undergone implantation of the bone anchored hearing aid and results appear excellent. A three month period of healing for osseous integration must take place for the full time use of the sound processor. The bone anchored hearing aid is an excellent choice for patients that have trouble with draining ears when they attempt to wear conventional in the ear hearing aids. The bone anchored hearing aid was also recently approved by the FDA for treatment of one sided hearing loss to restore the ability to localize sounds. For detailed information please contact the Entific Medical Systems company at www.entific.com or make an appointment at the clinic for a demonstration of the device and determination of suitability.

We have received our first shipment of Restylane™ and have begun treatments. The product is indicated for nasolabial folds and perioral wrinkles. Restylane™ was approved for cosmetic use by the FDA in December 2003. It does not require skin testing like collagen and is not derived from animal sources. This greatly decreases the risk of allergic or adverse reactions. The results are expected to last about 6 months. It's use coupled with Botox for forehead wrinkles can produce the so called "10 minute office facelift" without surgery. Please see the www.restylane.com for further information.

We have reviewed the safety and efficacy of the pillar procedure for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea in appropriately selected patients and now are able to offer the procedure in the office.

Many of our patients at the Milwaukee Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic seek advice and treatment for snoring. Snoring can be a major nuisance for bed partners and other family members, as well as a significant health risk for patients with sleep apnea (interrupted breathing).

Over the last 20 years several outpatient and office procedures on the soft palate have been devised to reduce snoring and mild sleep apnea. These have included laser, radiofrequency “Somnoplasty,” and “Injection Snoreplasty.”

The newest procedure is called the Pillar Procedure, using 3 small Pillar palatal implants, inserted into the fleshy soft palate. The implants reduce snoring by stiffening the palate like a batten in a sail, thereby reducing noisy palate flutter during sleep. The main advantage over earlier snoring procedures is that there is less pain during the healing period. In fact, most patients can stay on a normal diet. The procedure is done in the office under local anesthesia and takes about 15 minutes.

The Pillar Procedure received FDA clearance for snoring treatment in 2002, and Milwaukee ENT Clinic started doing the procedure in 2006. Although no snoring surgery will take away all breathing sounds, studies show that about 80% of Pillar Procedure patients enjoy reduction in snoring noise by at least half. The long-term success rate is still not known, since this procedure is still relatively new. There is some evidence that this procedure can alleviate mild sleep apnea in some patients, but it is not appropriate for patients with more severe apnea. If we suspect sleep apnea in a patient, we will usually recommend a sleep study initially, followed by medical or surgical treatment if needed.

The cost of the Pillar Procedure in our office is $1400, including the procedure and routine followup office visits for 30 days afterward. (Please be aware that health insurance does not typically cover the cost of this, or any, procedure done for simple snoring.)

If you think you are a candidate for the Pillar Procedure and would like to learn more, you can consult the Pillar Implant manufacturer’s web site at www.restoremedical.com

If you would like to consult with our doctor about this or other treatments for snoring and sleep apnea, call our office at 262-241-8000 to schedule an exam and consultation.

Web Changes

Send mail to js630@sbcglobal.net with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: January 21, 2006

Web Changes

Send mail to js630@sbcglobal.net with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: January 21, 2006

Send mail to js630@sbcglobal.net with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: January 21, 2006