title: Snoring intensity after a first session of soft palate radiofrequency: predictive value of the final result.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether snoring sound intensity measured after a first soft palate radiofrequency (RF) session for simple snoring helps predict the final result of the treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective review of 105 subjects presenting with simple snoring or mild sleep apnea. All patients underwent two to three sessions of RF-assisted stiffening of the soft palate. In addition, uvulectomy was performed in case of a long uvula, and two paramedian trenches were created in the presence of palatal webbing. Snoring sound intensity was evaluated by the bed partner after each session.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-six men and 19 women were included in the study. Mean age was 51.7 ± 9.8 years, and mean body mass index was 24.7 ± 4.4 kg/m(2) . The mean apnea/hypopnea index was 6.6 ± 4.2/h. The mean snoring sound intensity, as evaluated on a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS), decreased from 8.2 ± 1.5 to 3.5 ± 2.2 after all sessions (P < .0001). A score of 3 was determined as being a score that satisfied the bed partner. Two groups were formed according to the final snoring sound intensity, using 3 as a threshold. Both groups had similar preoperative characteristics, but the snoring sound intensity was significantly lower after the first session in the group with final score <3 (P = .01). Similarly, a VAS score >7 after the first session was associated with a final score <3 in 30% of the cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Snoring sound intensity after the first RF session helps predict the final outcome of RF-assisted stiffening of the soft palate for simple snoring.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Foch Hospital, Suresnes, France. blumen@cmvs.fr
authors.forename: Marc Bernard
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Blumen
authors.forename: Jean Philippe
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Vezina
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bequignon
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chabolle
mesh_terms: D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D017286:Polysomnography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012913:Snoring / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome