Radiofrequency surgery for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: Short-term and long-term results
Received 2 February 2009; received in revised form 20 September 2009; accepted 29 September 2009.
Abstract
Objective
To compare the short-term and long-term results in patients undergoing radiofrequency (RF) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Study Design
Case series and planned data collection.
Setting
Tertiary referral center.
Subjects and Methods
A study was undertaken on 72 OSA patients with palatal and tongue base obstruction based on radiography and physical findings. Multilevel RF was conducted to reduce the tissue.
Results
Patients had a mean age of 35.8 ± 10.9 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 28.8 ± 2.4 kg/m2. The mean follow-up was 14.2 ± 1.8 months, with a range of 12 to 16 months. Mean baseline apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), short-term AHI, and long-term AHI were 35.6 ± 9.2, 12.5 ± 4.8, and 16.8 ± 3.2, respectively. Mean baseline lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT), short-term LSAT, and long-term LSAT were 85.6 ± 3.4 percent, 88.7 ± 2.9 percent, and 88.2 ± 1.7 percent, respectively. The change in BMI was significantly different in the patients with and without recurrence (2.8 ± 1.8 vs 0.3 ± 0.2 kg/m2, P < 0.01). Forty (55.6%) patients had long-term success, and eight (16.7%) patients with short-term success failed in the long term. Serious complications were not encountered.
Conclusion
RF is a minimally invasive and effective procedure that results in long-term success for patients with a relatively low BMI and mild to moderate OSA without nasal obstruction. However, a recommendation concerning weight control and a regular follow-up are important because some patients will relapse in the long term.
Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand
Corresponding author: Chairat Neruntarat, MD, Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Sukhumvit 23, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Sponsorships or competing interests that may be relevant to content are disclosed at the end of this article.
ABSTRACT