Pretreatment Assessment of Oropharynx Ans Soft Palate Radiofrequency Surgery - a Multi-center Study

The Impact of Pretreatment Assessment of Oropharynx on Interstitial Soft Palate Radiofrequency Surgery Outcome - a Multi-center Study in Patients With Habitual Snoring

Interstitial radiofrequency (RF) surgery of the soft palate (SP) is an established option in the treatment of habitual snoring. The decision making process in the management of habitual snoring would benefit from diagnostic guidelines for oropharyngeal findings. The aim was to investigate the correlation of systematic clinical pretreatment oropharyngeal examination scores with the efficacy of interstitial RF surgery of SP in a multi-center study

TABLE 1. The inclusion and exclusion criterion used for the multicenter study.

Criteria Inclusion Exclusion _____________

Age (years) 18-65 < 18, > 65

Habitual snoring yes no Excessive daytime sleepiness no yes

BMI (kg/m2) < 28 > 28

AHI (events/hour) < 15 > 15

Overjet (mm) < 5 > 5 Clinical suspicion of obstruction no yes at base of tongue

Size of palatine tonsils (grade) 0-II III-IV

Nose breathing problems no yes

Pharyngeal tonsil hypertrophy no yes

A bed partner to assess snoring yes no

_____________

Abbreviations: BMI = body mass index, AHI = apnea-hypopnea index.

TABLE 1. The inclusion and exclusion criterion used for the multicenter study.

Criteria Inclusion Exclusion _____________

Age (years) 18-65 < 18, > 65

Habitual snoring yes no Excessive daytime sleepiness no yes

BMI (kg/m2) < 28 > 28

AHI (events/hour) < 15 > 15

Overjet (mm) < 5 > 5 Clinical suspicion of obstruction no yes at base of tongue

Size of palatine tonsils (grade) 0-II III-IV

Nose breathing problems no yes

Pharyngeal tonsil hypertrophy no yes

A bed partner to assess snoring yes no

_____________

Abbreviations: BMI = body mass index, AHI = apnea-hypopnea index.