Multilevel temperature-controlled radiofrequency for obstructive sleep apnea: extended follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To determine long-term effectiveness of multilevel (tongue and palate) temperature-controlled radiofrequency tissue ablation (TCRFTA) for patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).


METHODS
Prospective, 2-institution case series. Twenty-nine subjects with mild to moderate OSAS and who were at least 1 year from completion of multilevel TCRFTA were included, representing a subset of subjects who were enrolled in a previously published controlled trial. Exclusion criteria for this extended follow-up study included any additional treatment for OSAS after completion of TCRFTA.


RESULTS
Median follow-up was 23 months. Daytime sleepiness and OSAS-related quality of life were significantly improved at extended follow-up (both P < 0.001). Median reaction time testing and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) were also significantly improved at long-term follow-up (P = 0.03 and 0.01). Body mass index was unchanged (P = 0.94).


CONCLUSIONS
Multilevel TCRFTA treatment of mild to moderate OSAS resulted in prolonged improvement in daytime somnolence, OSAS-related quality of life, psychomotor vigilance, and AHI in this group of subjects at extended follow-up.
Steward
David L
DL
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, ML 0528, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0528, USA. david.steward@uc.edu
Weaver
Edward M
EM
Woodson
B Tucker
BT
D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D017286:Polysomnography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D013696:Temperature; D014059:Tongue / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome