RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION OF THE SOFT PALATE FOR THE TREATMENT OF SNORING AND MILD OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME
Sağlık Bakanlığı Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, 1.KBB Kliniği, Ankara, Türkiye Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible efficacy temperature-controlled radiofrequency ablation applied to the soft palate in subjects with snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.Material and methods: Between March 2004 and March 2007, 103 patients with snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea syndrome were included in this study. Apnea index were between 0-15,3 ( the mean 5,08±3,84). Applications were performed three regions of the soft palate under local anesthesia. Evaluations were made prior to, in the sixth month and at the end of the twelve months of treatment. The patients were evaluated using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). We evaluated the complaints (speech defect, difficulty of swallowing, e.g.) of the patients by subjective assessment. Follow-up period was between 6-14 months (the mean 9,40±2,10). VAS, ESS level and snoring scores were analyzed using paired-samples T test.
Results: The snoring scores decreased significantly from 8,03±2,01 to 4,59±2,38 on a visual analog scale (0-10, p< .0001). Mean ESS levels decreased from 9,56±5,43 to 5,89±4,21 (p< .0001).
Conclusion: Temperature-controlled radiofrequency ablation was effective in selected patients with snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. It is minimally invasive, require low power and heat, and no general anesthesia, and is associated with low complication risks.
Keywords : Snoring, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, radiofrequency ablation, soft palate