OBJECTIVE. To evaluate complications of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in th
e treatment of sleep-disordered breathing and to outline complication avoid
ance strategies.
STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective review of 51 consecutive RFA treatm
ent sessions for SDB to the soft palate and tongue base by a single surgeon
at a tertiary medical center.
RESULTS: Over 2 years, 51 treatments comprising 26 palatal and 25 tongue ba
se RFA treatments were performed for sleep-disordered breathing on 30 patie
nts. Complications included palatal mucosal breakdown (I I cases), temporar
y tongue base neuralgias (4 cases), uvular sloughing (2 cases), tongue base
abscesses (2 cases), and floor of mouth edema with airway compromise (2 ca
ses).
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first paper focusing on complications
of RFA. While complications from soft palate RFA present rapidly and are s
elf-limiting, complications from tongue base RFA may be delayed and life th
reatening. A detailed strategy is provided to avoid and treat these complic
ations.