Incidence of complications in radiofrequency treatment of the upper airway.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the incidence of complications after temperature-controlled radiofrequency (TCRF) treatment of the inferior turbinates, palate, and tongue. To compare these complication rates with those reported in the literature.


METHODS
Prospective, observational study.


METHODS
All patients treated with TCRF to the inferior turbinates, palate, and tongues during a 12-month period were included. Data were collected for parameters of energy delivery and the development of complications.


RESULTS
One hundred thirty-six patients were treated with a total of 470 TCRF lesions. The overall incidence of minor complications was 1.2% (6/470 lesions); there were no complications of moderate or major severity.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of minor complications after TCRF in this series was low, and there were no complications of greater severity. These findings are in stark contrast with some previously published papers with higher complication rates. These significantly higher rates may be caused by a marked learning curve, problems in patient selection and the technique of application, excessive energy delivery, and perioperative management.
Department of Surgery, Department of Behavioral Sciences, Division of Sleep Disorders Medicine, Stanford School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA.
Eric J
EJ
Kezirian
Nelson Bert
NB
Powell
Robert W
RW
Riley
Jerome E
JE
Hester
D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D019370:Observation; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D017286:Polysomnography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012913:Snoring / Q000209:etiology; D014059:Tongue / Q000601:surgery*; D014420:Turbinates / Q000601:surgery*