Radiofrequency surgery of the soft palate in the treatment of snoring. A placebo-controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
Recent publications have demonstrated a reduction in snoring with radiofrequency (RF) surgery of the soft palate. Yet so far, all published data has been based on non-controlled trials.


METHODS
Aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of RF surgery of the soft palate in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.


METHODS
Outpatients department at university hospital, department of otorhinolaryngology.


METHODS
26 patients with primary snoring (AHI < 15, BMI < 35).


METHODS
Patients were treated with temperature-controlled RF surgery of the soft palate under local anesthesia. In accord with a randomization protocol they received 2 sessions of RF surgery (total amount of energy: 3.300 Joule) or placebo (insertion of device needle without energy delivery).


RESULTS
Snoring was evaluated by the bed partner with 10 cm visual analogue scales. 23 patients completed the study; 12 received RF-surgery and 11 received placebo. Snoring scores did not change in the placebo group (8.4 +/- 1.6 to 8.0 +/- 2.3) while improving in the RF-group (8.1 +/- 1.3 to 5.2 +/- 2.4). The difference between the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
RF-surgery was significantly better than placebo, although the reduction in snoring was only moderate in our group of patients. This study underlines the necessity for well-controlled clinical trials in the treatment of snoring.
Stuck
Boris A
BA
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany. boris.stuck@hno.ma.uni-heidelberg.de
Sauter
Alexander
A
Hörmann
Karl
K
Verse
Thomas
T
Maurer
Joachim T
JT
D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012913:Snoring / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*