Radiofrequency Surgery of the Soft Palate in the Treatment of Snoring: a Review of the Literature

Stuck, Boris A.; Maurer, Joachim T.; Hein, Gerhard; Hörmann, K.; Verse, Thomas

doi:10.1093/sleep/27.3.551

Cited by 41 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Our results showed low morbidity and pain. The disadvantages of these techniques are the need for repeated surgical procedures, the fact that they are not useful to treat apnea, their limitation in the selection of patients, and in the case of radiofrequency ablation, cost [12,13] . Our results showing a decline in snoring intensity on the VAS from 8.9 8 0.69 to 4.06 8 1.4 can be compared with other studies that have used the VAS with patients treated with radiofrequency ablation alone.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The use of the sclerosing agent instead of the more expensive nonsterilizable radiofrequency device results in a significant economic saving [13] . The price of the generator is about EUR 6,000, the sclerosing agent costs EUR 9 and the device is reusable.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, disadvantages include the need for repeated treatment sessions, the significant cost of the radiofrequency generators and nonsterilizable needle devices, and the anatomical conditions considered suitable for radiofrequency surgery (small uvula, absence of relevant tonsillar hypertrophy, and a floppy soft palate) [13] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bipolar Radiofrequency Uvulopalatoplasty Combined with Injection Snoreplasty: A Reasonable Option for the Problem of Snoring

O’Connor-Reina

Garcia-Iriarte²,

Ángel³

et al. 2009

ORL

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Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and morbidity of the combined use of bipolar radiofrequency uvulopalatoplasty and a sclerosing agent applied to the soft palate in patients with snoring and apnea during a 1-year follow-up period. Methods: This was a prospective, nonrandomized study. Twenty-eight patients with primary snoring due to palatal flutter who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Under local anesthesia, a single procedure uvulopalatoplasty using bipolar radiofrequency applied with sterilized forceps was undertaken in combination with a sclerosing agent. Results: Four patients required a repeat procedure 6 weeks after the initial operation. The postoperative Epworth Sleepiness Scale score improved significantly 360 days after surgery. Snoring, measured on the Visual Analogue Scale, decreased from 8.9 ± 0.7 to 4.1 ± 1.4 (p < 0.005). No complications were reported. The average reduction on the apnea-hypopnea index was from 24.2 ± 7.1 to 12.8 ± 4.4 (p < 0.005). Conclusion: Bipolar radiofrequency uvulopalatoplasty combined with injection snoreplasty is an ambulatory, cost-effective, simple, and safe method to reduce the occurrence and effects of snoring and apnea.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bipolar Radiofrequency Uvulopalatoplasty Combined with Injection Snoreplasty: A Reasonable Option for the Problem of Snoring

O’Connor-Reina

Garcia-Iriarte²,

Ángel³

et al. 2009

ORL

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“…Apart from conservative treatment options, many different surgical procedures are offered such as laser-assisted uvuloplasty [10], uvulopalatopharyngoplasty [7,8] or radiofrequency surgery [14][15][16][17][18][19]. Initially, radiofrequency surgery of the soft palate seemed to be promising in the treatment of primary snoring, most recent results of a placebo-controlled study however showed that the reduction of snoring scores that may be achieved is only moderate [19].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite numerous approaches to find an adequate surgical treatment for primary snoring, no gold standard exists. Various kinds of surgical procedures are available, most of which have been developed for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): uvulopalatopharyngoplasty [7,8], tonsillectomy [9], laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty [10], uvulaflap [11,12], soft palate implants [13], or radiofrequency surgery of the tongue base or the soft palate [14][15][16][17][18][19]. Some of these procedures are rather invasive and connected with side effects such as post-operative pain or bleeding or persistent swallowing difficulties [20], whereas others show only moderate efficacy [19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiofrequency surgery of the tongue base in the treatment of snoring—a pilot study

et al. 2006

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In a previously published study, a significant reduction of snoring was reported after treatment with radiofrequency surgery of the tongue base in patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of radiofrequency surgery of the tongue base in the treatment of primary snoring. Twenty patients suffering from primary snoring (AHI < 10/h, body mass index < 32 kg/m(2)) and an isolated hypertrophic tongue base at clinical examination were enrolled in this clinical trial. The patients underwent bipolar radiofrequency surgery of the tongue base under local anaesthesia. Pre- and post-operative body weight, daytime sleepiness (Epworth sleepiness scale) and snoring scores (visual analogue scales) were evaluated by the patients and their bed partners, respectively. Postoperative follow-up data was collected 6-8 weeks after treatment. A statistically significant reduction of the preoperative snoring levels from 7.5 +/- 2.4 to 6.1 +/- 2.8 was seen after treatment (p < 0.001). Body weight and daytime sleepiness remained unaffected. Only 3 out of 20 patients were satisfied with the result as defined by VAS < 3. Despite statistically significant reduction of the subjective snoring scores after radiofrequency of the tongue base, only minimal clinical improvement was achieved. Only 3 out of 20 patients were satisfied with the results. With regard to the clearly beneficial effect seen in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, this result indicates different pathophysiological principles in the generation of snoring.

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International Consensus Statement on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Chang

Goldberg

Alt

et al. 2023

Int Forum Allergy Rhinol

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116

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Background: Evaluation and interpretation of the literature on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) allows for consolidation and determination of the key factors important for clinical management of the adult OSA patient. Toward this goal, an international collaborative of multidisciplinary experts in sleep apnea evaluation and treatment have produced the International Consensus statement on Obstructive Sleep Apnea (ICS:OSA). Methods: Using previously defined methodology, focal topics in OSA were assigned as literature review (LR), evidence-based review (EBR), or evidencebased review with recommendations (EBR-R) formats. Each topic incorporated the available and relevant evidence which was summarized and graded on study quality. Each topic and section underwent iterative review and the ICS:OSA was created and reviewed by all authors for consensus. Results: The ICS:OSA addresses OSA syndrome definitions, pathophysiology, epidemiology, risk factors for disease, screening methods, diagnostic testing types, multiple treatment modalities, and effects of OSA treatment on multiple OSA-associated comorbidities. Specific focus on outcomes with positive airway pressure (PAP) and surgical treatments were evaluated. Conclusion:This review of the literature consolidates the available knowledge and identifies the limitations of the current evidence on OSA. This effort aims to create a resource for OSA evidence-based practice and identify future research needs. Knowledge gaps and research opportunities include improving the metrics of OSA disease, determining the optimal OSA screening paradigms, developing strategies for PAP adherence and longitudinal care, enhancing selection of PAP alternatives and surgery, understanding health risk outcomes, and translating evidence into individualized approaches to therapy.

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Radiofrequency Surgery of the Soft Palate in the Treatment of Snoring: a Review of the Literature

Abstract: According to all of the published material, radiofrequency surgery of the soft palate leads to a significant reduction of subjective snoring, and snoring is reduced to a tolerable level. Nevertheless, these findings will have to be confirmed by controlled clinical trials.

Cited by 41 publications

References 28 publications

Bipolar Radiofrequency Uvulopalatoplasty Combined with Injection Snoreplasty: A Reasonable Option for the Problem of Snoring

Bipolar Radiofrequency Uvulopalatoplasty Combined with Injection Snoreplasty: A Reasonable Option for the Problem of Snoring

Radiofrequency surgery of the tongue base in the treatment of snoring—a pilot study

International Consensus Statement on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

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