Radiofrequency techniques in the treatment of sleep-disordered breathing.

The current medical information reviewing the use of radiofrequency in tissue volumetric reduction in the upper airway for nasal obstruction, primary snoring, and sleep-disordered breathing is reviewed. Reviews of the pathophysiology of sites of obstruction of the upper airway, indications for radiofrequency, procedure, technique, results, limitations and potential complications for each procedure, with the author's recommendations, are presented. The radiofrequency procedures are technically simple, minimally invasive, are associated with reduced postoperative pain compared with traditional surgical approaches, and can be performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia with a low complication rate and generally good therapeutic results. Future studies will aid in delineating the specific role of radiofrequency in nasal obstruction and sleep-disordered breathing.