Radiofrequency volumetric tongue base reduction as a treatment for OSA

ABSTRACT

Localization of the site of obstruction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea [OSA] is the cornerstone of the treatment. Physiologic studies have shown the base of the tongue and hypo pharynx to be the major site of obstruction in up to 50% of patients with OSA. Non-surgical methods including continuous positive airway pressure [CPAP], unfortunately, have variable patients' compliance. Surgical treatment for hypopharynx and tongue base of OSA patients is a great challenge because of associated airway compromise, apart from airway risk inherent to OSA patients. Radiofrequency [RF] volumetric tissue reduction is a recently applied technology with unique biophysics. It is performed on divided treatment sessions under local anesthesia. The aim of this work is to evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency volumetric tongue tissue reduction in the treatment of OSA due to enlarged tongue base. Our results revealed that RF volumetric tongue base reduction is an easy, cost-effective, and tolerable method for treatment of OSA, which is nearly devoid of serious complications. RF is effective in treatment of moderate OSA patients. The severe OSA patients were partially improved, still their AI was reasonably reduced after RF treatment, and they were c and idates for further potential deposition of RF energy in their tongues or in lateral pharyngeal wall which needs further research for testing the safety and feasibility of this application. Reduction of the AI in patients with severe OSA using this minimally invasive RF technique makes them better c and idates for CPAP with lower occlusive airway pressure and better tolerance