Abstract
Background: Velar radiofrequency is a therapeutic method of chronic snoring. It has been successful over the last decade due to its technical simplicity and low morbidity. However, its effectiveness is controversial. The objectives were to determine the functional results of radiofrequency treatment for snoring and analyse prognostic factors.
Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal descriptive and analytical study, including twenty patients, carried out between 2019 and 2020 in the Ear-Nose-Throat department of Mohamed Taher Maâmouri Hospital, Nabeul. Adults aged at least eighteen years living with partners, cases of snoring associated or not with mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and patients who underwent velar radiofrequency with or without uvulectomy were included. Patients receiving psychotropic treatments, having severe or moderate OSA, presenting an obstructive focus other than the soft palate and having a history of velar surgery were not included. We excluded patients who were lost to follow-up post-operatively before a period of eighteen months or whose partners were lost to follow-up. The evaluation of the functional results was made by the partner at three, six and eighteen months based on the post-operative visual analog scale compared to the pre-operative one. The snoring was judged to be significantly improved if the difference between pre-operative and post-operative visual analog scales was at least five points.
Results: Seventeen, sixteen and twelve patients showed significant improvement at three, six and eighteen months respectively. The mean differences between preoperative visual analog scale and postoperatives ones were equal to 7.8; 6.7 and 6.5 points respectively at three, six and eighteen months (p<0.05). OSA and overweight were associated with poor functional outcomes.
Conclusion: Velar radiofrequency has proven its effectiveness as a treatment of chronic ronchopathy with or without mild OSA. Functional results are better in the short and medium terms than in the long term. OSA and overweight are factors of functional failure. In case of overweight, weight loss by following hygienic and dietary rules must precede the velar radiofrequency.
Key-words: Snoring, Obstructive sleep apnea, Radiofrequency, Functional Result, Soft palate
