[Somnoplasty: treatment of chronic snoring using radiofrequency irradiation of the palate].
The goal of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of tissue reduction of the palate by means of radiofrequency for the treatment of snoring. Fifty-three patients were evaluated. Eight of them (15%) met criteria for mild OSAS. All of them underwent RF energy treatment with several ablation sites and the mean total energy administered was about 2500 J per treatment session. 40 patients (75%) underwent an additional RF treatment and the energy administered in the second session was the same as in the first one. We evaluated postoperative pain, snoring and the satisfaction of the patient and his enviroment. After a mean follow-up of 20 months no adverse effect was reported. The success diminishes with time as happens other surgical procedures (UPPP or LAUP) but the absence of serious adverse side-effects and the minimal postoperative pain support the use of RF as an effective procedure for reducing snoring.
Galindo Campillo
A N
AN
Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid. ngalindo@ruberinternacional.es
García Simal
M
M
Navarro Cunchillos
M
M
Toledano Muñoz
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010159:Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D017286:Polysomnography; D012086:Reoperation; D012449:Safety; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012913:Snoring / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome