Incidence of complications after temperature-controlled radiofrequency treatment for sleep-disordered breathing: a Singapore sleep centre experience

Abstract

To determine the incidence of complications following temperature-controlled radiofrequency treatment of the soft palate, uvula and tongue base. Retrospective study. We included all patients who had received temperature-controlled radiofrequency treatment of the soft palate, uvula and tongue base, for sleep-disordered breathing, over a four-year period in a tertiary hospital. Patients' medical records were systematically reviewed for radiofrequency treatment parameters and complications. Complication rates. Seventy-six patients had been treated, with a total of 127 treatment sessions and 544 lesions to the palate, uvula and tongue base. The incidences of minor and moderate complications were, respectively, 2.6 per cent (14/544 lesions) and 0.4 per cent (2/544 treatment lesions), being 3.0 per cent (16/544 lesions) overall. Subdividing by anatomical region, the incidences of minor and moderate complications following palatal and uvula radiofrequency treatment were, respectively, 3.1 per cent (14/446 lesions) and 0 per cent, and those following tongue base treatment were, respectively, 0 per cent and 2.0 per cent (2/98 lesions). The incidence of minor complications following soft palate and uvula treatment, per treatment session, was 10.9 per cent. The incidence of moderate complications following tongue base treatment, per treatment session, was 4.6 per cent. There were no major complications in our study population. In this study, the incidence of complications of temperature-controlled radiofrequency treatment of the palate, uvula and tongue base was low. Temperature-controlled radiofrequency is a safe treatment modality for patients with sleep-disordered breathing and can be performed as a day case procedure. We recommend day admission for patients undergoing radiofrequency of the tongue base, in view of the potential for severe complications and airway compromise.