Radiofrequency (pacing and thermic effects) in the treatment of sleep-disordered breathing

Radiofrequency, whether it is used for pacing or for its thermal liberation properties, has been investigated as a treatment for sleep-disordered brea thing. Diaphragmatic pacing has a long history. The problems associated wit h pacing, which are related to patient selection, equipment failure, distur bances at the electrode/nerve interface, neuromuscular function failure, mu scle fatigue, and the physiological consequences of stimulation, will have to be resolved with XIIth nerve stimulation. Radiofrequency thermal ablatio n has been applied on the tongue of an animal model. In man, turbinates, so ft palate tissue and the base of tongue have been treated. These feasibilit y studies have demonstrated that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and upper airway resistance syndrome can be completely controlled using radiofrequen cy thermal ablation in some subjects. These results can be obtained without complications related to speech, taste or swallowing. The treatment can be administered as an outpatient procedure, but many applications are needed, and treatment may span 6 months. Too high a level of radiofrequency will c ause pain or otherwise avoidable complications. The determination of which patients will benefit most from these procedures will require further multi -center, placebo-controlled studies.