Midline radiofrequency tissue reduction of the palate for bothersome snoring and sleep‐disordered breathing: A clinical trial

Abstract

This study is a prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial initiated to assess the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency tissue reduction of the palate for the treatment of bothersome snoring and sleep-disordered breathing. Twelve healthy volunteers with socially disruptive snoring underwent a baseline polysomnogram along with a battery of visual analog scales (VASs) to measure daytime sleepiness, snoring level, pain, and disturbances of speech and swallowing. After radiofrequency tissue reduction of the palate, they were re-evaluated with a mean follow-up after the final procedure of 15.7 +/- 5.1 (mean +/- SD) weeks. As rated by the bed partner, a significant reduction in the level of snoring occurred in all 12 patients, with a mean pretreatment snoring level of 8.3 +/- 2.1 to a mean posttreatment snoring level of 2.1 +/- 1.4. (Student t test, P < 0.0001) These patients required an average of 2.3 treatment sessions each. Nine of 12 had a reduction in snoring from a bothersome level (VAS range 5-10) to a nonbothersome level (VAS range 0-3). Daytime sleepiness as measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (0-24) decreased from 10.8 +/- 4.4 to 8.3 +/- 4.1 (P = 0.011). Posttreatment pain was considered absent or minimal in 11 of 12 patients and was managed with acetaminophen. No significant adverse events or complications were reported.

Radiofrequency ablation treatment of soft palate for patients with snoring: A systematic review of effectiveness and adverse effects

“…Only four of the studies reported the duration of snoring before the treatment decision 12, 14–16. The obstruction site was assessed clinically (with or without endoscopy) in 27 studies,7, 12–36 with the use of cephalometry in four,7, 12, 13, 22 and with sleep endoscopy in three studies 15, 20, 30…”

Tongue Base Reduction with Temperature-controlled Radiofrequency Volumetric Tissue Reduction for Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

“…It was rst established for the treatment of turbinate hypertrophy and was proven to be safe and effective (16,17). Concerning the treatment of sleep disorders, temperature-controlled R F VTR was used in the treatment of velopharyngeal obstruction and it was demonstrated that suf cient reduction in disruptive snoring could be achieved using this minimally invasive technique (18,19). Powell et al (20) adapted temperature-controlled R F VTR for the treatment of tongue base hypertrophy in sleep-disordered breathing (SD B).…”

Laser soft palate “stiffening”: An alternative to uvulopalatopharyngoplasty*

“…It is less invasive than thermal cautery because it is a form of``electrosurgery'' in which current¯ow denatured submucosal tissue. However, it is not easy to control the tissue depth affected by the radiofrequency, so that postoperatively mucosal ulceration may occur [12].…”