Temperature-controlled radiofrequency tissue volume reduction in the humansoft palate

OBJECTIVE: To validate the use of temperature-controlled radiofrequency ene rgy applied to the soft palate in a multicenter setting for reduction of sn oring in a minimally morbid manner. METHODS: Prospective, nonrandomized multicenter study of 113 patients who h ad a respiratory disturbance index less than 15 and minimum oxygen saturati on 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 scal e (VAS), 0-10) pretreatment to 3.2 posttreatment. Pain was minimal, averagi ng 1.7 (VAS 0-10) on days I 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 mi nimally invasive, well-tolerated procedure that was safe and efficacious in this study group.