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Radiofrequency for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Marc Bernard Blumen MD (presenter); Bernard Fluery MD; Chantal Housser-Hauw MD; Fredric Chabolle MD Objectives: To evaluate prospectively the efficacy of Somnoplasty applied on the soft palate for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Methods: Patients referred or self-referred to our center for the treatment of snoring/daytime sleepiness/witnessed apnea underwent an otolaryngologic examination. A night recording was performed in all subjects. Patients who had a respiratory disturbance index (RDI) between 10 and 30 events per hours of sleep and a retrovelar site of obstruction were included. Three different treatment protocols were consecutively used: protocol A, 700 J in the midline, 350 J on each side; protocol B, 2 times 700 J just lateral to the midline and 700 J on each side; and protocol C, 700 J on the midline, 700 J on each side. We provided at most 3 treatment sessions. All patients were asked to undergo a night recording. It was performed at least 5 months after the last treatment session. Results: Four patients in protocol A, 30 patients in protocol B, and 22 patients in Protocol C were included and treated. Some patients were lost to follow-up. Some patients refused follow-up polysomnography. Results were evaluated based on the following criteria: subjective snoring volume, Epworth sleepiness scale, RDI, lowest oxygen saturation, and body weight. Cure was defined as an RDI of less than 20/hour and a 50% reduction in the preoperative RDI. Conclusion: In some cases, Somnoplasty applied on the soft palate may be beneficial in the treatment of sleep apnea syndrome.
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