Many tools are used in the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea. Radiofrequency energy is used in this technique to heat and shrink tissue at select sites of airway obstruction. Frequently targeted sites include the inferior turbinates in the nose, the soft palate in the throat, and the back of the tongue. Radiofrequency treatments of the inferior turbinates and soft palate can be done safely as an office procedure with local anesthesia and is minimally invasive.
After treatment, there is usually some mild initial swelling and only mild pain. Treatment of the inferior turbinates is often done to improve nasal CPAP use for the treatment of sleep apnea. The back of tongue is treated in a monitored setting and often in conjunction with other surgeries for sleep apnea (such as genioglossus advancement and uvulapalatopharyngoplasty. Usually more than one treatment is necessary for a gradual hardening and shrinkage of the obstruction sites.
Side effects of treatment:
Inferior turbinate
Mild pain only
Occasional bleeding, crusting, or dryness of nose
Occasional infection
Soft palate
Mild pain
Mild palatal swelling
Mucosal erosions
Base of Tongue
Superficial ulcer formation
Infection <1%
Abscess <1%
Hypoglossal nerve (the nerve that moves the tongue) injury, rare, usually temporary
Swelling
Temporary increased airway obstruction from swelling
