RADIOFREQUENCY VOLUMETRIC REDUCTION OF THE TONGUE - A PORCINE PILOT-STUDY FOR THE TREATMENT OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP-APNEA SYNDROME

Study objective: To investigate, in an animal model, the feasibility o f radiofrequency (RF) volumetric tongue reduction for the future purpo se of determining its clinical applications in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Design: The study was performed in three stages, one in vitro bovine stage and two in vivo porcine stages. The last stage was a prospective investigation with histologic and volumetric analyse s to establish outcomes. Setting: Laboratory and operating room of vet erinary research center. Participants: A homogeneous population of por cine animal models, including seven in stage 2 and 12 in stage 3. Inte rvention: RF energy was delivered by a custom-fabricated needle electr ode and RF generator to the tongue tissue of both the in vitro and in vivo models.Measurements and results: Microultrasonic crystals were us ed to measure three-dimensional changes (volumetric reduction), Lesion size correlated well with increasing RF energy delivery (Sperman corr elation coefficient of 0.986; p=0.0003). Histologic assessments done s erially over time (1 h through 3 weeks) showed a well-circumscribed le sion with a normal healing progression and no peripheral damage to ner ves. Volumetric analysis documented a very mild initial edematous resp onse that promptly tapered at 24 h. At 10 days after RF, a 26.3% volum e reduction was documented at the treatment site (circumscribed by the microultrasonic crystals). Conclusion: RF, in a porcine animal model, can safely reduce tongue volume in a precise and controlled maimer. F urther studies will validate tile use of RF in the treatment of OSAS.