In a previously published study, a significant reduction of
snoring was reported
after treatment with radiofrequency surgery of the tongue base in patients suffering from
obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of radiofrequency surgery of the tongue base in the treatment of primary
snoring. Twenty patients suffering from primary
snoring (AHI < 10/h, body mass index < 32 kg/m(2)) and an isolated hypertrophic tongue base at clinical examination were enrolled in this clinical trial. The patients underwent bipolar radiofrequency surgery of the tongue base under local anaesthesia. Pre- and post-operative
body weight,
daytime sleepiness (Epworth
sleepiness scale) and
snoring scores (visual analogue scales) were evaluated by the patients and their bed partners, respectively. Postoperative follow-up data was collected 6-8 weeks
after treatment. A statistically significant reduction of the preoperative
snoring levels from 7.5 +/- 2.4 to 6.1 +/- 2.8 was seen
after treatment (p < 0.001).
Body weight and
daytime sleepiness remained unaffected. Only 3 out of 20 patients were satisfied with the result as defined by VAS < 3. Despite statistically significant reduction of the subjective
snoring scores after radiofrequency of the tongue base, only minimal clinical improvement was achieved. Only 3 out of 20 patients were satisfied with the results. With regard to the clearly beneficial effect seen in patients with
obstructive sleep apnea, this result indicates different pathophysiological principles in the generation of
snoring.