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Sutter® bipolar radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction of palate for snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnoea: is one treatment adequate?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 January 2009

K P Pang  and
J K Siow
K P Pang*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Pacific Sleep Centre, Singapore
J K Siow
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Kenny Peter Pang, Director, Otorhinolaryngology, Pacific Sleep Centre, 20-03 Paragon Medical Centre, Singapore259332. E-mail: kennypang@hotmail.com
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Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy of bipolar radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction, using Sutter® technology, in the treatment of snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnoea.

Design:

Prospective, non-randomised trial.

Methods:

Fifty-two patients with simple snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnoea underwent bipolar radiofrequency palate reduction under local anaesthesia.

Results:

All patients were Friedman stage II and III, with tonsil sizes graded as zero, one or two, a mean body mass index of 22.6, and a mean age of 36.2 years. Seventy-seven per cent of patients reported improvement in their snoring; patients' mean snoring level (assessed by visual analogue scale) improved from 8.9 to 3.4 (p < 0.05). Eighty-three per cent of patients reported an improvement in their Epworth sleepiness scale score, from a mean of 14.6 to 9.5. Seven out of the 17 patients (41.2 per cent) met the surgical success criteria (i.e. at least a 50 per cent reduction of the pre-procedure apnoea–hypopnoea index, and a post-procedure apnoea–hypopnoea index of below 15). Patients' mean apnoea–hypopnoea index improved from 13.6 to 9.8, and their mean lowest oxygen saturation improved from 88.3 to 92.5 per cent. Eighty-two per cent of patients reported an improvement in their quality of life as a result of the procedure.

Conclusion:

One session of Sutter bipolar radiofrequency tissue volume reduction represents a viable method of treating snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnoea, with good results.

Keywords

RadiofrequencyPalateObstructive Sleep ApneaSnoring
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 123 , Issue 7 , July 2009 , pp. 750 - 754
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2009

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