Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) Of The Tongue Base
RFA Explained
Radiofrequency Ablation helps shrink and tighten part of the tongue to create more breathing space. This minimally invasive, in-office procedure is primarily used to help treat sleep apnea, and works by reducing the size of the tongue base. Each treatment takes less than fifteen minutes, and patients are able to resume normal activities immediately. The procedure is performed with local anesthesia. Typically, five to eight treatments are required to achieve the desired effect.
Does it Work?
RFA directs energy to the base of the tongue. Following the procedure, the treated area heals and forms scar tissue. As the surrounding tissue is tightened and reduced in size, the tongue is prevented from blocking the airway while the patient is asleep.
What To Expect?
In most patients with sleep apnea, more than one anatomic site is involved. Patients get the best outcomes when treatment is directed to all contributing sites. Therefore, RFA of the tongue is typically combined with other techniques to provide comprehensive treatment. At the Snoring Center, we specialize in multi-level treatment of snoring and sleep apnea. Our doctors will examine you to determine what treatments are most likely to benefit you. By combining treatments, our doctors can effectively treat most patients, without resorting to invasive surgical procedures or cumbersome CPAP machines.