OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction of the soft palate is causing voice changes as a result of velopharyngeal insufficiency in patients with heavy snoring. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study of 16 habitual snorers (oxygen desaturation index, <6 in all cases) were investigated concerning nasopharyngeal competence before and, at minimum, 2 months after the procedure (mean period, 165 d). Speech evaluation was made objectively with a nasal-oral ratio meter and also was made subjectively by a trained speech-language pathologist. The patients received a mean of three Somnoplasty radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction treatments of 1200 J each (600 J in the midline and 300 J on each side of the soft palate). RESULT: Comparison between preoperative and postoperative nasal-oral ratio meter analysis of hypernasality revealed no significant change. Neither did listener judgment of hypernasality, nasal escape, or pharyngeal snort reveal any influence on velopharyngeal function by the surgical procedures. Snoring was somewhat successfully treated, as evaluated by spouses; snoring score was reduced from 8.2 +/- 2.9 to 4.1 +/- 2.5 (P <.01) on a 10-grade rating scale. Maximum nocturnal decibel levels were also reduced in 79% of the cases. CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction in the soft palate as a treatment for snoring did not show any significant adverse effect on nasopharyngeal function.
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