Radiofrequency Procedure as Treatment of Snoring and Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)

We can carry out a surgical treatment of habitual snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) as an outpatient procedure under local anaesthesia. The procedure contains many options of modalities that can be utilized, which includes diathermy, sclerosant injection, pillar insertion, radiofrequency and carbon dioxide (CO2)-laser. A deletion of the extra/redundant tissue or an induction of stiffening effect, which eventually lessens the fluttering and collapse of the palate and uvula onto the posterior pharyngeal wall, are the main aims. may involve. The soft palate, uvula or the palatopharyngeal folds, either singly or in combinations may be involved during this surgical procedure, depending on the findings. In this video we can see the outpatient surgical procedure as a treatment of habitual snoring by using a bipolar dual probe radiofrequency device. The use of a tongue depressor (which was handled by the patient himself) pressed down the tongue. The initial throat assessment was done and followed by local infiltrations of the Marcain Solution ( an adrenaline mixture) at multiple spots involving the soft palate and palatopharyngeal webs bilaterally. Only when the numbing effect gained, the dual probe was gently introduced and pierced the epithelium and finally placed nicely into the mucosa until its insulated part (black colured) was reached. A 10W Auto Stop mode was set on the device and the foot paddle was pressed when ready. The peculiar sound produced by the machine will accompany and it will stop automatically when the required energy delivers. The probe will be inserted at midline in the soft palate, and another two on either side, while the palatopharyngeal webs will be delivered once. On the other hand, depending on dimensions of the soft palate and the palatoglossal fold, the number of sites can be added. It is important not to insert the needle probe too superficial as to avoid superficial ulcer formation- usually temporary, if happens. If elongated or significantly bulbous, the uvula can be cut/trimmed. Usually the throat gargle and oral painkillers are prescribed to be taken home. There is no need to use an antibiotic.