title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center for Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D017286:Polysomnography; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012913:Snoring / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome