title: Temperature-controlled radiofrequency tissue volume reduction in the human soft palate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To validate the use of temperature-controlled radiofrequency energy applied to the soft palate in a multicenter setting for reduction of snoring in a minimally morbid manner.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, nonrandomized multicenter study of 113 patients who had a respiratory disturbance index less than 15 and minimum oxygen saturation not less than 85% and who were seeking treatment for habitual disruptive snoring. Patients were given either single or multiple lesions to the soft palate during each treatment session.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients received 1978 J on average with an overall average of 2.4 treatments. Snoring scores went from an average of 7.8 (visual analog scale (VAS), 0-10) pretreatment to 3.2 posttreatment. Pain was minimal, averaging 1.7 (VAS 0-10) on days 1 to 6. Complications were few and transient, and mild.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The multiple lesion protocol was the most successful; reducing snoring from 7.6 to 2.7, on a VAS with an average of 1232 J delivered over 1.6 treatments. Temperature-controlled radiofrequency was found to be a minimally invasive, well-tolerated procedure that was safe and efficacious in this study group.
authors.affiliation: Capital Region Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 6 Executive Park Drive, Albany, NY 12203, USA. Aeshermd@aol.com
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Sher
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Flexon
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hillman
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Emery
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Swieca
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cartwright
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dierks
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012913:Snoring / Q000601:surgery*