Minimally Invasive Technique Offers Significant Improvement for Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Newswise — 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 OSAHSAuthors: Michael Friedman, MD,Hsin-ching Lin MD,Berk Gurpinar,Ninos J. Joseph BSDate: 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. Please see the AAO-HNS website for media credentialing requirements for the event - http://www.entnet.org/ent-press/online_reg.cfm.

About the AAO-HNSThe American Academy of Otolaryngology " Head and Neck Surgery (http://www.entnet.org), one of the oldest medical associations in the nation, represents more than 12,000 physicians and allied health professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. The Academy serves its members by facilitating the advancement of the science and art of medicine related to otolaryngology and by representing the specialty in governmental and socioeconomic issues. The organization's mission: "Working for the Best Ear, Nose, and Throat Care."