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Coblation CommENTary
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Sleep Surgery Clinical Information
- Maturo SC, Mair EA. Submucosal minimally invasive lingual excision: an effective, novel surgery for pediatric tongue base reduction. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2006 Aug; 115 (8): 624-30.
The aim of this study was to develop an effective single intraoral, minimally invasive technique to reduce the enlarged tongue base in children with obstructive macroglossia.
The authors concluded that the SMILE procedure is an effective novel operation that incorporates coblation with ultrasonography and endoscopic guidance for children who need tongue base reduction. Anatomic dissection and clinical cases demonstrate the potential for aggressive yet relatively safe tissue removal by this minimally invasive technique. SMILE also has significant potential for adults with obstructive sleep apnea due to a large tongue base.
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- Belloso A, Morar P, Tahery J, Saravanan K, Nigam A, Timms MS. Randomized-controlled study comparing post-op pain between coblation palatoplasty and laser palatoplasty. Clin Otolaryngol. 2006; 138–143.
The objective of this study was to evaluate differences in post-op pain comparing KTP laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty without tonsillectomy (LAUP) with coblation uvulopalatoplasty with tonsillectomy (CP). The study also evaluated the impact of each surgical technique in reduction of snoring loudness.
The median overall pain was significantly less in the Coblation group compared with the laser group. A statistically significant reduction in post-operative pain was observed in the CP group after day 8, and maintained until the end of the study. Reduction of snoring loudness was significant in both groups. The use of analgesia was recorded as total number of doses per day. For the whole study period, the Coblation group used less analgesia than the LAUP group.
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- Back LJ, Tervahartiala PO, Piilonen AK, Partinen MM, Ylikoski JS. Bipolar radiofrequency thermal ablation of the soft palate in habitual snorers without significant desaturations assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2002; 166: 865-871.
This study assessed the efficacy and acceptability of Coblation® soft palate reduction in habitual snorers without significant desaturations associated with excessive daytime sleepiness.
This study found that Coblation of the soft palate reduction was well tolerated and is an effective minimally invasive alternative for treating patients with habitual snoring.
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- P Rombaux. Postoperative Pain and Side Effects After UPPP, LAUP, and RF Tissue Volume Reduction in Primary Snoring. Laryngoscope. 2003;
113: 2169-2173.
The purpose of this study was to prospectively compare the side effects and postoperative complications of 3 procedures commonly used for the treatment of primary snoring: UPPP by electrocautery (UP3), LAUP, and Coblation tissue volume reduction (RFTVR).
Less frequent postoperative side effects and complications were found in the RFTVR groups in comparison to the UP3 and LAUP groups. The study concluded that Coblation is a safer and less painful procedure than either UP3 by electrocautery or LAUP for the treatment of primary snoring.
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- M Friedman. Uvulopalatoplasty (UP2): A Modified Technique for Selected Patients. Laryngoscope. 2004; 114: 441-449.
The objective of this study was to compare the morbidity and outcomes of UP2 using a palatal flap technique without pharyngoplasty with conventional UP3.
There was no statistically significant difference between the UP2 and UP3 groups. Morbidity was more prominent and recovery was more prolonged in the UP3 group. UP2 with a Coblation tonsillectomy showed to offer some reduction in postoperative morbidity without affecting outcome for selected patients with OSAHS.
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