Approximately 50 million Americans suffer from symptoms of snoring, daytime somnolence, and other sequelae of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Several treatment options exist for dealing with OSAHS, including weight reduction, surgical options, oral appliances, or breathing masks (commonly referred to as CPAP). However many patients are unwilling to accept treatment with oral appliances, breathing masks or surgery, and therefore put themselves at risk for development of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

A new study presented at the 2007 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO explores the safety and efficacy of a minimally invasive tongue based reduction that can make a significant impact on the symptoms of OSAHS.

The study compared a group of 47 patients treated with more classic tongue base radiofrequency reduction and a second group treated with the bipolar radiofrequency ablation removal system. The results show that bipolar radiofrequency ablation allows for significantly more tissue reduction and for significantly increased success rates in cure of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.

The study results show promise for the new technique that produces significant reduction of the tongue base with a minimally invasive technique that offers a significant improvement rate in cure for obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.

Title: Safety and Efficacy of Tongue Base Coblation for OSAHS
Authors: Michael Friedman, MD,Hsin-ching Lin MD,Berk Gurpinar,Ninos J. Joseph BS
Date: Monday, September 17, 8:10 AM - 8:18 AM

Information for the Media:
The AAO-HNS Annual Meeting newsroom will be located in Registration East, Street Level of the Washington, D.C. Convention Center. Hours of operation: Saturday, September 15, 12 pm to 5 pm; Sunday - Tuesday, September 16 -18, 7:30 am to 5 pm; and Wednesday, September 19, 7:30 am to 2 pm. The newsroom serves as a work space for credentialed members of the media and credentialed public relations staff. The newsroom is managed and staffed by the AAO-HNS Communications Unit.

Source: American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (AAOHNS)