Radiofrequency Treatment in Simple Snoring: Tolerance, Safety and Results

Abstract

ObjectiveSnoring is a non-pathologic social problem. In the search for non-aggressive efficacious treatment, we introduce our experience in using temperature-controlled radiofrequency treatment for snoring. MethodsA 6-month follow-up revision of 37 patients who received a mean of 1.1 radiofrequency treatment sessions at turbinates, soft palate, tonsils and/or tongue-base. ResultsMean sample age was 39.6±9 years; mean BMI was 29.5±4. Good tolerance was presented by 78% of our patients, 78% had no postoperative pain complaints and 68.3% no postoperative symptoms a week after procedure. Minor complications (mainly mucosal breakdown) were presented by 14.6% of the patients. The snoring score went from a mean of 8.6 to 5.6 on the visual analogue scale; 86.5% of the patients improved their clinical snoring and 37.8% were cured of it. Epworth daytime somnolence test results went from mean 9.3 to 6.1. ConclusionsRadiofrequency is a procedure that is safe, well tolerated and fairly painless postoperatively, effective in improving clinical snoring in simple snorers. Radiofrequency is an effective primary treatment for snoring whose cause is accessible to radiofrequency.