Transoral Radiofrequency Treatment of Snoring

Abstract

RFA to the soft palate is a viable option to treat socially unacceptable snoring. Inadequate response to therapy may reflect misdiagnosis or delivery of an insufficient amount of energy.

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

“…Follow-up periods were usually 6 to 8 weeks, but especially retrospective trials had a significantly longer follow-up time (2-18 months). 20,22,23 Concerning postoperative complications, no serious adverse events were reported, though it should be mentioned that there was a significant variation in the overall complication rates provided, which ranged from 12,13,18,20 to 50%. 16 The most frequently reported complication was a mucosal erosion or ulceration.…”

Managing Disturbing Snoring With Palatal Implants

“…The effect of RFTA on the soft palate, however, is delayed. 8 The long-term result of the procedure is also unpredictable as tissue remodeling varies in different patients over time. Other attempts have also been made to harden the soft palate through injections of sotradecol, a sclerosing agent.…”

Assessment and Treatment of Pain during In‐Office Otolaryngology Procedures: A Systematic Review

“…Of the included studies, 9 were prospective randomized trials, 15-23 4 were prospective nonrandomized cohort studies, 24-27 47 were prospective case series, 28-74 22 were retrospective reviews, 75…”

“…72,100 A binary (yes or no) assessment of pain was used by 2 studies. 57,55 Self-report of pain by the patient was collected primarily in 6 studies 22,27,37,47,62,85 and was a secondary measure in 1 study. 41 Patient appearance of pain-as ascertained by the clinician-was used in 1 study.…”