Radiofrequency volumetric reduction of the palate: An extended follow-up study.
OBJECTIVE
The goal was to evaluate the effect of radiofrequency (RF) of the palate on speech, swallowing, taste, sleep, and snoring 12 to 18 months after treatment.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients were evaluated by clinical examination, questionnaires, and visual analog scales. The patients with relapse of snoring were offered further RF treatment.


RESULTS
After a mean follow-up of 14 months, no adverse effect was reported. Subjective snoring scores relapsed by 29% overall. Nine patients (41%) noted relapse of snoring from 2.1 +/- 1. 1 to 5.7 +/- 2.7 (P < 0.001). Eight of the patients underwent further RF treatment with a reduction of snoring from 5.8 +/- 2.9 to 3.3 +/- 3.1 (P = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The success of RF volumetric reduction of the palate diminishes with time, as with other surgical procedures of the palate. However, the minimal invasiveness of the RF provided a high patient acceptance for retreatment, and relapse of snoring can be improved.
Li
K K
KK
Stanford University Sleep Disorders and Research Center, Stanford, California, USA.
Powell
N B
NB
Riley
R W
RW
Troell
R J
RJ
Guilleminault
C
C
D000328:Adult; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012008:Recurrence; D019233:Retreatment; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*