Temperature-controlled radiofrequency tissue volume reduction in the human soft palate

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Sleep Medicine
• Minimally Invasive Procedures

Background:

• Habitual disruptive snoring affects a significant portion of the population.
• Current treatments for snoring vary in efficacy and invasiveness.
• There is a need for safe and effective minimally invasive snoring reduction techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate temperature-controlled radiofrequency (TCRF) for soft palate treatment.
• To assess TCRF efficacy in reducing snoring in a multicenter setting.
• To evaluate the safety and tolerability of TCRF for snoring reduction.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, nonrandomized multicenter study.
• 113 patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea (RDI < 15) seeking snoring treatment.
• Single or multiple lesions created on the soft palate using TCRF.

Main Results:

• Snoring scores reduced from 7.8 to 3.2 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
• The multiple lesion protocol was most effective, reducing snoring from 7.6 to 2.7 (VAS).
• Pain was minimal (1.7 VAS) and complications were few and transient.

Conclusions:

• Temperature-controlled radiofrequency is a safe and effective treatment for snoring.
• The procedure is minimally invasive and well-tolerated by patients.
• The multiple lesion protocol demonstrated superior snoring reduction.