Long term results of radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction of the soft palate in primary snoring

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of radiofrequency tissue volume reduction of the soft palate RTVR in simple snoring on swallowing, speech, taste, day time sleepness and snoring 12 months after treatment. Prospective non randomized study. Fifteen patients [14 males, I female] with ages ranging from [18-60 y], a mean of 45 years with bothersome snoring for more than one year without clinically significant obstructive sleep apnea, body mass index < 32 and pure palatal snorer were enrolled in the study. Radiofrequency treatment sessions were in average of 1.13 sessions for each patient midline and right and left lateral approach was done in every session, visual analogue scores, snoring scale SS Epworth sleepness scale ESS were used to determine the results. Changes in SS and ESS were statistically significant with overall success rate of 73% in long term follow-up. RTVR of the palate is a safe procedure with minimal morbidity and with distinct advantages over Uvulo-palatopharyngoplasty and laser assisted Uvuloplasty to maxmize the outcome, other treatment protocols [varying the dose and the time interval between sessions] should be explored

Submucosal radiofrequency versus submucosal diathermy for reduction of hypertrophied inferior turbinate refractory to medical therapy

Comparative study between the two common submucosal approaches of the inferior turbinate as regards the safety and efficacy in the short and long term. 44 patients enrolled in the study [38 males, 6 females] with age range from 19 to 57 years and average of 32.1 years, complaining of chronic nasal obstruction for more than one year due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy and refractory to medical therapy. The patients were divided in two equal groups, the first group [22 patients] managed by submucous diathermy of the inferior turbinate and the second group [22 patients] managed by submucous radiofrequency. Visual analogue scores for postoperative pain and nasal blockage pre and post treatment were utilized in addition to anterior rhinoscopy, endoscopic assessment of the nose, computerized coronal tomography in selected cases, were all used for the assessment. Prospective non randomized study. Statistically significant advantages of 2[nd] group over 1[st] group. Radiofrequency tissue volume reduction of the inferior turbinate is superior to submucous diathermy and should replace it

Midline glossectomy [MLG] for OSAS

Midline glossectomy is a treatment option for patients with retrolingual airway collapse and persistent apnea after failed palatal or nasal surgery. The procedure has been successful in 5 of 10 patients and in our experience there have been no serious complications with the procedure

Treatment of nasopharyngeal stenoosis following unulopatopharyngoplasty with the CO2 laser

Sixteen patients who had uvulopalatopharyngoplasty [UPPP] for obstructive sleep apnea [OSA] all of whom developed stenosis in variable degrees [I, II and III] were included in this study. The carbon dioxide laser was used to treat these patients in the office under local anesthesia in a staged manner in type I and under GA for type II and III. The patients were followed up for an average follow up period of 3-12 months and had stenosis treated successfully. It was suggested that the postoperative complication of nasopharyngeal stenosis after UPPP can be treated in a safe and cost-effective manner with the use of this technique

Fashioning a combined surgical technique for bilateral chronic nasal obstruction due to hypertrophied turbinates

In this study, three effective methods were compared to get the best results when applied on 40 patients. These methods were bipolar diathermy of whole antero-inferior length of the inferior turbinates, lateral outward fracture of inferior turbinates and an excision of the lower redundant part excluding the anterior end but including the posterior one

controlled study evaluating medical treatment versus surgical treatment in addition to medical treatment of nasal polyposis

Thirty-two patients with nasal polyposis and symmetrical nasal airways were randomized to unilateral endoscopic sinus surgery after pretreatment with oral prednisolone for ten days and local nasal budesonide bilaterally for one month. Postoperatively, the patients were given local nasal steroids [budesonide]. They were evaluated with nasal endoscopy, symptom scores and olfactory thresholds. They were followed up for 12 months. The sense of smell was improved by the combination of local and oral steroids. Surgery had no additional effect. The symptom scores were significantly increased with the medical treatment alone, but surgery had additional beneficial effects on nasal obstruction and secretion. After surgery, the polyp score decreased significantly on the operated side, but remained the same on the unoperated side. 25% of the patients were willing to undergo an operation also on the unoperated side at the end of the study. The medical treatment proved to be sufficient to treat most of symptoms of nasal polyposis