[Effect and indications of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effect and indications of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.


METHODS
Multilevel temperature-controlled radiofrequency therapy of soft palate, uvula, inferior turbinate, and tonsils were applied to 74 adults with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). There were 16 mild, 23 moderate, and 35 severe cases respectively in this study. Evaluation of mucosal injury and effect of radiofrequency therapy on pain, speech and swallowing were performed early after operation. The volume of targets and length of soft palate and uvula were measured three months after operation. Polysomnography, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Snoring Scale Score questionnaires were reevaluated six months after operation and compared with the results of pre-operation. Treatment outcome measurements were mainly based on polysomnography.


RESULTS
By our definition, 5 of 74 patients (6.76%) have been cured and 42 of 74 (56.76%) had improved totally. Mean Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) decreased significantly and mean lowest oxygen saturation value increased significantly postoperatively (P < 0.01). The total effective rate of the patients, whose obstructive sites were all treated by radiofrequency, was remarkably higher than that of the ones, whose obstructive sites were only partly treated by radiofrequency (P < 0.01). The total effective rate of the former was 72.92%. Patients showed a significant decrease in mean score on ESS and SSS postoperatively (P < 0.01). No significant complications were observed in most patients. There were little influence on pain, speech and swallowing. The volume or length of targets decreased obviously three months after operation.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiofrequency can reduce the volume of tissue. The short-term outcomes of radiofrequency were satisfying if obstructive sites had been all treated. This study demonstrates that the characters of radiofrequency are as follows: minimally invasive, safe, efficient, repeatable and multilevel applicable. Temperature-controlled radiofrequency therapy is a safe and effective procedure for hypertrophic infraturbinal when used separately, or as a part of a the combined approach for complex syndromes.
Mu
Shuyu
S
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Friendship Hospital, Dalian, 116001, China. mushuyu@163.com
Sun
Chuanhai
C
Song
Jie
J
Liu
Li
L
Qu
Ye
Y
Liu
Lin
L
Cui
Ling
L
Zhao
Liyang
L
Yin
Wenbin
W
Wang
Lin
L
D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome