Temperature‐Controlled Radiofrequency Tissue Volume Reduction in the Human Soft Palate

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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To validate the use of temperature-controlled radiofrequency energy applied to the soft palate in a multicenter setting for reduction of snoring in a minimally morbid manner. METHODS: Prospective, nonrandomized multicenter study of 113 patients who had a respiratory disturbance index less than 15 and minimum oxygen saturation not less than 85% and who were seeking treatment for habitual disruptive snoring. Patients were given either single or multiple lesions to the soft palate during each treatment session. RESULTS: Patients received 1978 J on average with an overall average of 2.4 treatments. Snoring scores went from an average of 7.8 (visual analog scale [VAS], 0–10) pretreatment to 3.2 posttreatment. Pain was minimal, averaging 1.7 (VAS 0–10) on days 1 to 6. Complications were few and transient, and mild. CONCLUSIONS: The multiple lesion protocol was the most successful; reducing snoring from 7.6 to 2.7, on a VAS with an average of 1232 J delivered over 1.6 treatments. Temperature-controlled radiofrequency was found to be a minimally invasive, well-tolerated procedure that was safe and efficacious in this study group.