A multi-institutional study of radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction for OSAS.
OBJECTIVE
Radiofrequency volume reduction (RFTVR) is a minor procedure directed at reducing the tongue base volume to treat obstructive sleep apnea. Subjective and objective treatment effectiveness was evaluated.


METHODS
Two separate prospective, matched, nonrandomized, open enrollment treatment groups (RFTVR, n = 73 and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP, n = 99) were concurrently enrolled in a multicenter study.


RESULTS
Fifty-six (76.7%) RFTVR completed PSG with a mean 5.4 +/- 1.8 treatments (13,394 +/- 5459 joules). Perioperatively, acute pain was mild to moderate; edema, mucosal erosion, paresthesia, tinnitus were infrequent; and speech, swallowing taste, or throat irritation were unchanged. Self-reported outcomes did not differ between RFTVR and CPAP groups. Mean apnea/hypopnea index decreased (40.5 +/- 21.5 to 32.8 +/- 22.6 events/hr, P < 0.01). Electrolyte solution injected predicted results (r = 0.43, P < 0.001). The most severe complication was abscess (1.1%).


CONCLUSIONS
RFTVR improves apnea/hypopnea index. Improvement may be related to solution injected with treatment. RFTVR and CPAP clinical outcomes improvement were similar.


CONCLUSIONS
In mild obstructive sleep apnea, treatment of symptomatic outcomes with RFTVR may be an alternative to CPAP.
Woodson
B T
BT
Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Services, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. bwoodson@mcw.edu
Nelson
L
L
Mickelson
S
S
Huntley
T
T
Sher
A
A
D000328:Adult; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000601:surgery*