Ex-vivo surgical model for "Barbed Snore Surgery": a feasibility study
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 5, 2026
The Establishment of a Murine Mandibular Molar Extraction Socket Healing Model
Published on: January 13, 2023
Vittorio Rinaldi1, Andrea Costantino2, Antonio Moffa3
1Integrated Sleep Surgery Team, Unit of Integrated Therapies in Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Introduction:
The "Barbed Snore Surgery" is one of the last technical innovations in palatal surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The availability of a low-cost surgical model able to replicate tissue consistency and main anatomical structures could be fundamental for the spreading of this surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of an ex-vivo ovine model in the surgical training of BSS.
Methods:
After adequate preparation of adult lamb heads, a post-graduate student with no surgical expertise was guided by a skilled surgeon in the execution of two BSS procedures: "Barbed Roman Blinds Technique" and "Barbed Anterior Pharyngoplasty". Anatomical limitations and similarity with the human tissue were assessed and recorded during the simulation.
Results:
All the procedures were successfully completed. Despite proportional differences, the palatal tissue was assessed as similar in consistency and thickness to the human tissue. The simulation was considered satisfactory and suitable for surgical training.
Conclusion:
This ex-vivo ovine surgical model could represent the right tool for BSS training thanks to readily available and inexpensive specimens. Moreover, it appears to present the realistic anatomy and tissue consistence essential for an adequate surgical simulation.
