Radiofrequency-assisted uvulopalatoplasty for snoring: Long-term follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
The efficacy of combined radiofrequency (RF) surgery of the soft palate (RF-assisted uvulopalatoplasty [RF-UPP]) was demonstrated in a prospective study. Nevertheless, the data is based on short-term follow-up only, as it is the case with the majority of clinical studies regarding surgical treatment of snoring. Long-term follow-up is of particular importance in this context, as snoring relapses in a significant number of patients. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term efficacy of RF-UPP in the treatment of snoring.


METHODS
Prospective clinical trial.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients with primary snoring (apnea/hypopnea index <15, body mass index [BMI] <32) were going through the initial trial. Patients had received two sessions of RF-UPP at the soft palate as previously described. For the present trial, all patients were contacted after approximately 18 months and asked to complete an additional follow-up questionnaire assessing current BMI, snoring (visual analogue scale), and the overall satisfaction with the procedure.


RESULTS
From the 21 initial patients, 19 (90%) answered the questionnaire. Mean follow-up was 19.8 +/- 4.9 months. The postoperative snoring scores showed an increase from 2.0 +/- 2.1 to 5.1 +/- 3.3 (P < .05) at long-term follow-up. Seven (37%) patients demonstrated long-term success (1.7 +/- 0.5), whereas seven patients experienced a relapse in snoring (8.1 +/- 1.4). BMI remained unchanged. Age, sex, BMI, or the length of follow-up did not influence long-term outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
After RF-UPP of the soft palate, a relapse in snoring has to be expected at long-term follow-up in a subgroup of patients. At present, there are no prospective parameters which would predict long-term benefit.
Stuck
Boris A
BA
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Germany. boris.stuck@umm.de
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D017286:Polysomnography; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012913:Snoring / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014609:Uvula / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult