title: Effects of Radiofrequency versus sham surgery of the soft palate on daytime sleepiness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of radiofrequency surgery of the soft palate on daytime sleepiness in snoring men with mild or no sleep apnea.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five men were recruited from consecutive patients referred to the Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic due to snoring and complaints of daytime sleepiness. The inclusion criteria were an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of ≤ 15, male gender, and age 18 to 65 years. Patients were randomized to either radiofrequency or sham surgery of the soft palate. All but one chose and received the option of three treatments. All patients participated in a follow-up, including an overnight sleep apnea recording and questionnaires 12 months after the last treatment. The primary outcome was daytime sleepiness measured with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and other questionnaires. Secondary outcomes were effects on the AHI and subjective snoring.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-two of 35 patients-19 of 20 patients in the radiofrequency surgery group and 13 of 15 patients in the sham surgery group-completed the study. No differences between the two groups in relation to the ESS or AHI were found at follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiofrequency surgery of the soft palate has no effect on daytime sleepiness, snoring, or apnea frequency in snoring men with mild or no sleep apnea 1 year after surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  1b. Laryngoscope 124:2422-2426, 2014.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Umeå School of Business and Economics, Sweden.
authors.forename: Thorbjorn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Holmlund
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Levring-Jäghagen
authors.forename: Karl A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Franklin
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindkvist
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berggren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D017286:Polysomnography; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D012894:Sleep Stages; D012913:Snoring / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Radiofrequency; daytime sleepiness; randomized controlled trial; sham surgery; sleep apnea syndrome; snoring